‘Warm, nurturing’ South Croydon nursery impresses Ofsted

A South Croydon nursery which “promotes an inclusive environment where children feel they belong and are supported to thrive” has been praised by Ofsted following an inspection.

The newly published report says children at Partou Gingerbread House Day Nursery and Pre-School are “happy and learn through play in a warm, nurturing setting.” 

Leaders are praised for having “a clear vision for what they want children to know and learn across all ages in the setting.”  The inspector writes: “Activities are designed to support children’s overall development. They are adapted so that all children can take part and are tailored to each child’s age and stage of development. Teaching is purposeful and focuses on helping children learn the skills they need for their next steps.”

Ofsted recently changed the way early years settings are graded, replacing the previous single-word judgement with a renewed framework that focuses on safeguarding and a broad range of evaluation areas: inclusion; curriculum and teaching; achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children’s welfare and wellbeing; and leadership and governance.

Safeguarding standards at Partou Gingerbread House were deemed to be ‘met’ with the nursery achieving ‘expected standard’ across five evaluation areas.

The Ofsted report notes that children “achieve well from their starting points in all areas of learning, progressing through the curriculum,” and “are provided with activities and experiences to help support them to develop age-appropriate skills.” 

The inspector adds: “Staff know the children well, encouraging them to become independent within their routines and to begin managing tasks for themselves. Children are typically confident to navigate daily routines such as helping to tidy up, demonstrating well-embedded positive behaviour.”

And partnerships between Partou Gingerbread House team members and families are judged to be “well established” with the report highlighting that families “praise leaders and staff for the care and teaching they provide for children.”

Set in an impressive three-storey building close to Sanderstead and Purley Oaks railway stations, Partou Gingerbread House welcomes children aged from six months to five years old. 

Its welcoming ‘home-from-home’ indoor learning environment is complemented by a stunning outdoor space featuring a grass, nature and paved areas, together with a large mud kitchen and vegetable patch.

Claire Preece, Partou Gingerbread House Nursery Manager, said:

“As a team, we place a strong emphasis on providing the best possible learning experience for the children and it is satisfying to see this as a common theme running through the report.

“Similarly, our relationships with families are incredibly important and the bonds we have developed with them have been recognised by the inspector.

“It is our first experience of the new Ofsted grading framework and we welcome the outcome, including guidance on where we can improve.”  

Samantha Rhodes, Partou Managing Director, said:

“Well done to Claire and her deeply committed team at Partou Gingerbread House on their success.

“They have created a wonderfully positive culture at the nursery which provides the ideal environment for children to make great strides as they set out on their learning journey.”   

Come and see for yourself

If you are looking for a warm and nurturing nursery in South Croydon where children feel they belong and are supported to thrive, we’d love to welcome you to Partou Gingerbread House Day Nursery & Pre-school!