London nursery impresses Ofsted inspector

A west London nursery where “children arrive with a smile and are ready to start their day” has received an “expected standard” Ofsted grading across all evaluation areas.

In the inspection report, team members at Partou Apples & Cherries Day Nursery and Pre-school in Uxbridge are described as “kind and caring, and, as a result, children learn to be respectful to others.”

Ofsted recently changed the way early years settings are graded, replacing the previous single-word judgements with a new framework that focuses on safeguarding and six other key areas: achievement; behaviour, attitudes and routines; children’s welfare and wellbeing; curriculum and teaching; inclusion; and leadership and governance.  
Nurseries meeting “expected standard” are deemed to be “following the standard set out in statutory and non‑statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them.”

Well-resourced with age-specific indoor playrooms and exciting outdoor areas which include a rock-climbing tree to enhance children’s physical abilities, Partou Apples & Cherries provides high quality early years support for children aged from six months to five years old.
In her final report, the Ofsted inspector notes that children attending the setting “develop bonds with staff that support their emotional wellbeing and help them to explore the learning environment with confidence.

She continues: “Leaders and staff have high expectations of what children can achieve. As a result, children develop positive attitudes to learning.”

The inspector adds: “Leaders provide a balanced curriculum that supports children’s development across all areas of learning. Staff use assessment to find out what children know and can do. Staff generally tailor teaching to children’s needs, abilities and interests. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefit from small-group activities to support their development. Staff ensure children are happy, safe and secure, which supports their learning.”

Partou Apples & Cherries team members are also praised for their close partnership working with families and other childcare professionals to identify where children require additional support and to reduce barriers to learning.

The report explains: “Leaders and staff understand that the experiences of children and families differ. They support the emotional needs of children who are known and previously known to children’s social care. Leaders and staff closely monitor children’s learning and emotional wellbeing. They provide the support that children need to help them make progress towards their next steps in learning and development. Leaders evaluate the impact of support that children receive to ensure that they make ongoing progress and develop a high level of self-esteem.”

Shannon Pearce, Partou Apples & Cherries Nursery Manager, said:

“We are pleased with the report and the numerous positive comments it contains.

“Our long-standing team possesses a wealth of early years knowledge and experience and have built strong relationships with the children and families.

“This is a great help when tailoring activities around children’s individual interests to ensure that learning is always fun.”

Samantha Rhodes, Partou Managing Director, said:

“Well done to Shannon and her impressive team.

“They bring such dedication to their roles throughout the year by hosting family events such as a Mother’s Day afternoon tea, a Father’s Day breakfast and a Pre-school leavers party.

“This provides families with a special insight into nursery life, whilst giving the children the chance to take the lead by welcoming loved ones into their space.”