Whitegate Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 June 2025

Children arrive happily each morning at this caring nursery school. They have a strong sense of belonging and feel safe. Children benefit from warm and nurturing relationships with staff, who get to know them well as soon as they start at the school. The school has high aspirations for what children can achieve. Typically, children learn well across the curriculum. They demonstrate their awe and wonder through exciting learning opportunities. For example, children learn how to mix their own paint to create paintings inspired by the books that they learn about. They delight in simple pleasures, especially outdoors, where they giggle with delight while splashing in puddles. In the main, children show positive behaviour. They play well alongside others and learn about the importance of taking turns with toys. Children find out about some of the ways that they are unique. They are highly curious about visitors and confidently approach them to introduce themselves. Children learn about the world around them through real-life experiences. For example, they learn about animals and life cycles during farm visits and by watching caterpillars and ducklings grow. Children visit places in the local area, such as shops. They have had video conferences with children from another school and are due to meet them in person.

What the school should improve

• The school has not made sure that all staff know how to best deliver the intended curriculum. This variability means that some staff do not support children's learning consistently well, which hinders how successfully children build their knowledge and skills. The school should ensure that staff implement the curriculum consistently well.
• At times, staff do not address children's low-level behaviour well enough. As a result, these behaviours continue and some children's engagement in learning deteriorates. The school should ensure that staff have the knowledge and confidence to better support children's behaviour and attitudes, so that they learn as well as they can.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)