Bensham Grove Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this exceptionally nurturing and inclusive environment. Even the youngest children develop secure attachments with trusted adults and begin to explore with confidence. They move seamlessly between indoor and outdoor learning spaces, confidently making choices about their play. For example, toddlers concentrate intently when identifying mini-beasts with magnifying glasses, compare textures as they mix natural materials and take pride in mark making and early writing.

The outdoor environment is a rich and integral part of the curriculum, offering children daily opportunities for exploration, creativity and physical development. Children delight in the beach-themed outdoor area, where they scoop, pour, dig and build together in the sand. They invent imaginative play scenarios, such as superheroes, picnics and seaside cafés, while strengthening small-muscle skills and deepening social interaction. In the adjacent forest area, children engage in storytelling, den building and nature-based exploration, developing resilience and curiosity. The natural design and thoughtful resourcing of both areas enable all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to explore sensory-rich learning in a joyful, inclusive space.

Staff are excellent role models and set high expectations for every child. Children listen attentively, negotiate with peers and show genuine empathy. For example, when a character's blanket tore in a story, children responded, 'She will be sad.' These interactions reflect the setting's strong focus on emotional development and communication. Clear routines, positive reinforcement and strong relationships mean children feel safe, valued and well prepared for their next stage in learning.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

• Leaders deliver an ambitious and inclusive curriculum that is firmly rooted in each child's unique experiences. Home visits and detailed conversations with families build a deep understanding of children's interests, needs and backgrounds. These insights inform highly personalised starting points that prioritise emotional security and strong relationships.
• Children with SEND are exceptionally well supported through consistent routines, visual strategies and targeted adaptations. Staff work closely with families to embed bespoke approaches across the setting. They reflect regularly on what works best for each child and ensure strategies are fully embedded in daily practice. This inclusive, consistent approach enables all children to participate fully in the curriculum and make sustained progress from their individual starting points.
• Staff demonstrate a secure understanding of child development and how to support learning through high-quality, responsive interactions. They skilfully adapt their approach to each child's stage of development, using strategies such as repetition, pausing and gesture, particularly for those whose language is still emerging. These approaches help children build their vocabulary, communicate their needs and develop confidence in social interactions.
• Children benefit from a rich, immersive literacy curriculum that celebrates their voice and creativity. During group time, children narrate their own imaginative stories, which staff carefully scribe and read aloud to the group. These are proudly displayed, promoting a strong sense of authorship and achievement. In forest sessions, children extend their narratives by crafting story characters from natural materials, such as sticks and leaves. This integrated approach strengthens children's comprehension, enhances expressive language and nurtures a lifelong love of storytelling and books.
• Physical development is purposefully embedded across the provision. Babies climb on small slides, roll cars down ramps and handle whisks in the outdoor kitchen. Older children scoop soil, balance on equipment and navigate ride-on toys. These meaningful experiences promote strength, coordination and independence, while encouraging healthy, active habits from an early age.
• Parents speak with genuine warmth about the care and education their children receive. Families describe the setting as a safe and inclusive space where their children thrive. Staff maintain strong, trusting relationships with families, including those facing complex challenges. This consistent, two-way partnership supports learning and well-being across home and the setting, creating a powerful sense of belonging for the whole family.
• Leadership is visionary and rooted in a deep understanding of the community. Leaders are highly visible, responsive and committed to continuous improvement. They provide strong professional and emotional support to staff, model reflective practice and prioritise purposeful training. Their values and expectations are shared by the whole team, resulting in a cohesive, highly skilled workforce. Staff are confident, skilled and motivated, creating a culture of high expectations where children consistently succeed.