AN inspector has highlighted the “ongoing improvements” made at an Emersons Green pre-school and nursery.
Ofsted says Your Co-op Little Pioneers, at Fieldfare, off Folly Brook Road, is ‘good’ in all areas – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development.
It is the first time the nursery, which opened in 2021, has achieved a ‘good’ rating, having been told it needed to improve in two reports from the regulator last year.
Inspector Marie Swindells, who visited the nursery in June, said: “Since the last inspection, leaders have thoroughly reflected on the care and education children receive, to drive ongoing improvements.
She said “appropriate changes” have been made to the environment, routines and number of children, with leaders “upskilling” current and recruiting new staff.
The inspector said: “Leaders and staff have devised an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum.
“They support children’s progress and help them to develop a good range of skills to support their future learning, including for those with special educational needs or disabilities.”
The report said staff at the nursery, which has 169 children aged four and under on its roll, help children gain knowledge and build skills ready for school.
The inspector said: “Children have wonderful opportunities to be curious, to investigate and to develop their independence to lead their own learning.”
She said staff are sensitive to children’s needs, talk to them with respect and also quickly get to know the children and their families, helping them to settle.
The inspector said: “Partnerships with parents are good. Parents comment positively on the staff and say their children are safe and well cared for.”
Staff themselves “feel supported and valued”, the report said, adding: “They know their ideas and suggestions are welcomed.”
To improve further, the inspector recommended that interactions with children during outdoor play are improved and transitions between activities for younger children managed to keep them focused and engaged.
Little Pioneers is run by the member-owned Midcounties Co-Operative.
Nursery manager Becky Stanway said: “We are thrilled with the report. It’s a testament to our dedicated team’s hard work and continual enthusiasm to go the extra mile for our children and parents.
“We’re grateful that the inspectors have recognised our ongoing efforts to continue to make improvements to the nursery whilst nurturing children into confident young people, providing them with the best possible start in life.”