Willow Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 22 May 2024

Children at Willow Nursery School are happy and confident. They settle quickly as soon as they arrive each day, thanks to carefully structured routines. Children thrive in the school's calm, safe, well-ordered environment. Children love learning. They embrace the activities staff carefully plan for them with great enthusiasm. They love rooting around in a 'dinosaur swamp', hunting for bugs in the nursery garden or exploring the feeling of bubbly soap suds. The school's clear routines and expectations promote children's independence at an early age. Staff support children to manage their behaviour extremely well. Children understand the school rules. They do their best to follow these, often reminding each other of the schools' high expectations. Relationships throughout the Nursery are warm and caring. Children develop strong bonds with their key workers. If anyone is unkind, children are quick to let staff know. They trust them to sort out any upsets. Children benefit from the range of activities that enhance and enrich their learning. They celebrate a range of religious festivals throughout the year. They explore the area beyond the school gates on local walks. Children experience the thrill of watching chicks hatch and of holding them safely.

What the school should improve

• There are inconsistencies in the quality of interactions between staff and children. Sometimes, staff miss opportunities to address misconceptions, or reinforce key vocabulary. This means there are occasions where children do not learn as deeply as they could. The school should ensure that staff have the support and guidance they need to use their interactions with children to address misconceptions and deepen learning.
• Curriculum leaders are still developing their understanding of the school's new curriculum and how their area fits into the bigger picture. This means the school does not have the information it needs on where improvements might be made. The school should ensure that curriculum leaders have the support they need to check their areas of responsibility. This is so they better understand where to make necessary improvements.

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