Stonehill Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 17 December 2024

At this friendly and diverse nursery school, relationships are nurtured. Children and their families are valued and well supported by the nursery staff. Some children attend for short periods of time or arrive part way through their early education. They settle well and learn the school's routines quickly. They are happy and well cared for. Children learn to use their manners and develop their independence. For example, they learn to put their coat on without adult help and how to share toys with others. The school wants every child to build a secure foundation in their early years education. It has revised its curriculum to meet this ambition, although not enough thought has been given to how the school develops children's vocabulary over time. Staff help children to use 'kind hands and kind words'. They are alert to any children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who may need help to manage their emotions and behaviour. On the rare occasions that disagreements happen, adults clearly and calmly model the nursery's expectations using words, symbols and actions. In a short period of time, children make rapid progress with their personal, social and emotional skills.

What the school should improve

• Occasionally, the activities that children complete do not align closely to their stage of development. When this happens, children do not learn the school's curriculum as well as intended. The school must ensure that staff have the necessary expertise to implement the school's curriculum so that children secure an appropriate understanding of what they are learning.
• The school's approach to developing children's vocabulary is not designed well enough to build on children's prior knowledge. As a result, children do not learn the key words they need to prepare them well enough for their learning in the Reception Year. The school should refine its approach to teaching vocabulary and the order in which children learn key words, across all areas of learning.

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