Artisans Kindergarten

Inclusion: Strong standard

The setting demonstrates a highly consistent, skilled and proactive approach to inclusion that goes beyond expected practice. Leaders and practitioners know all the children who face barriers to their learning exceptionally well and identify additional needs early on. This ensures children receive timely interventions and personalised targets that are sharply focused on helping them make secure and sustained progress from their starting points. Detailed information is gathered from parents at the earliest opportunity. Staff use this information, alongside their precise tracking of children's progress, to plan and adapt support with accuracy. Progress is reviewed continuously, and adaptations are adjusted systematically so children can participate fully in all aspects of nursery life.

Leaders take swift, rigorous action when barriers are identified. They seek specialist advice promptly and work closely with outside agencies. All professional guidance is fully embedded into everyday practice rather than treating it as an add-on. This results in focused individual and small-group support and carefully chosen strategies that address specific needs, such as speech development, social interaction or fine motor control. These adaptations are consistent across the team, ensuring children experience continuity and security.

Parents are active partners in the decision-making regarding the support for their children. Regular meetings and open communication help families feel informed, reassured and confident in the support provided. As a result of this sustained, well-monitored approach, those who face barriers to their learning access the same rich experiences as their peers, build confidence, develop independence and make meaningful progress over time.

Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard

The curriculum is ambitious, thoughtfully designed, fully embedded and highly effective. A real strength of the setting is the clear vision of what leaders and staff want children to learn, fully rooted in child development and the Montessori approach. The curriculum is underpinned by the setting's values, which all experiences stem from, ensuring children's learning is based on their contentment, grit and inquisitiveness. Leaders and managers give expert guidance to staff so that every interaction has purpose and supports children's next steps in learning. Teaching is consistently calm, precise and responsive to children's interests and needs. Staff address misconceptions quickly and skilfully, helping children deepen their understanding and build secure knowledge over time.

Children experience a rich blend of explicit teaching and meaningful play. Staff model language extremely well. They confidently introduce new vocabulary to children and spark curiosity through well-planned experiences, such as flower arranging, music and rhythm sessions, nature walks and role-play projects. These activities are designed to build secure learning behaviours, including perseverance, focus, independence and collaboration. Staff use high-quality questioning to extend children's thinking, encourage problem-solving and help them make connections in their learning across the curriculum. They plan opportunities for children to develop important life skills, such as preparing snack, caring for pets and contributing to the nursery community. Staff teach children to value the natural world and begin to understand their role as global citizens.

Achievement: Strong standard

Children achieve extremely well and make excellent progress from their starting points. For example, the children receiving support to develop their social skills are now able to teach other children how to use certain resources with confidence. Children develop considerable confidence and independence. They busily select resources that interest them, returning them to their place on the shelf before selecting something else to do. Children ably take responsibility for every part of the daily routine, such as setting the table or organising their belongings. They use new vocabulary with increasing accuracy, including mathematical language to compare size or describe what they are building. Many children show pride in their achievements and seek adults out to share what they have done.

Children collaborate effectively, for example when constructing rocket ships together outdoors or designing complex train tracks indoors. Children with additional needs make sustained progress, resulting in accelerated confidence and depth of knowledge and skills. Across the setting, children read, explore, imagine and think deeply, enabling them to solve problems and engage in meaningful play with their peers.

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Strong standard

Children's behaviour and attitudes are exemplary. Children thrive in a respectful, incredibly calm and purposeful culture where routines are well established, expectations are clear and adults consistently model kindness, patience and empathy. Staff know each child incredibly well and create a nurturing environment where emotional needs are understood. From the moment they arrive, children are visibly excited to begin their day. They know exactly what to do, confidently finding their name peg, organising their belongings and settling into activities with enthusiasm. Children show a deep sense of responsibility, helping at snack time, tidying resources and supporting their peers without being prompted. Children behave beautifully, feel valued and develop strong foundations for lifelong learning.

Leaders prioritise punctuality and regular attendance, reinforcing with families how consistent routines support children's progress, wellbeing and belonging. Children show remarkable motivation and engagement throughout the day. They concentrate for sustained periods, follow instructions carefully and take pride in their achievements. During a paint marbling session, for example, children wait patiently for their turn, gasping with excitement as the colours spread on the water and recalling that oil floats. They demonstrate curiosity, self-regulation and genuine enjoyment of learning.

Children's welfare and wellbeing: Strong standard

Children's welfare and wellbeing are at the heart of practice. The nursery is safe, calm and welcoming, helping children to settle quickly and develop a strong sense of security and belonging. Staff know each child extremely well and respond sensitively to their individual needs, offering reassurance, close support or space as needed. Secure relationships ensure children feel emotionally safe and confident to explore.

Healthy habits are embedded throughout the day. Children independently wash their hands, manage self-care routines and learn about balanced food choices through a well-planned menu that reflects a variety of cultures and encourages children to try new foods. Physical development and wellbeing are prioritised through a wide range of movement experiences, including yoga sessions that promote strength, balance and calm breathing, alongside daily outdoor play that builds resilience and confidence. Children are supported to recognise and manage their emotions, developing strategies that help them regulate and express how they feel. Parents value the clear, daily communication, personalised induction and settling-in process and feel well informed about their child's care. Robust procedures, vigilant staff and regularly reviewed risk assessments ensure children are protected and able to thrive.

Leadership and governance: Strong standard

Leadership and governance are significant strengths of the setting. Leaders are ambitious, inspirational and deeply reflective, with robust systems firmly in place that drive continuous improvement. Monitoring and evaluation are rigorous. Leaders maintain a detailed continuous improvement plan, demonstrating clear progress over time, and they already have plans in place for future developments, such as deepening children's love of books and stories. Recruitment procedures are robust to ensure that staff are suitable, with a well-structured induction programme followed by all newly appointed staff. Regular and meaningful supervision arrangements and in-the-moment coaching ensure staff continue to be suitable and rapidly develop their confidence and skills. Leaders provide expert modelling and guidance to staff so that they develop a deep understanding of child development and are able to deliver consistent, high-quality teaching. Leaders' curriculum ethos is woven through all aspects of practice.

Leaders and staff know the children's families well and use induction meetings and detailed handbooks to ensure that every child receives the highest standard of care. Partnerships with parents and the community are a priority. Parents cannot speak more highly of the unique setting, where their children are cherished and the joy of childhood is celebrated. Leaders promote charitable work to help children understand citizenship, and they hold sessions to support parents' confidence at home. Staff commend the inspirational leadership, the supportive team culture and the clarity of systems that help them excel. As a result, the setting maintains high standards and achieves sustained positive outcomes for children.