Victoria Park Nursery School, Newbury

What it's like to be a pupil at Victoria Park Nursery School

Children arrive each day happy and eager to learn alongside their friends. They clearly enjoy attending the nursery and confidently separate from their parents and carers, walking independently into the setting. Familiar adults greet them warmly on arrival, which helps them to settle quickly and feel safe. The nursery's broad curriculum that focuses on key skills such as communication, social and physical development, help children access activities with increasing independence. Children enjoy the activities prepared from them in the exciting and well-considered environment. Those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children with additional language needs are included effectively and well supported by staff who know them very well. Staff use simple and clear language when they talk to children with limited speech. This enables children to hear the correct pronunciation of words, which helps to build on their vocabulary. Typically, children, including those with additional needs, achieve well. Leaders establish highly effective partnerships with parents prior to children starting nursery. This embedded approach helps leaders swiftly identify any additional needs to ensure that children get the right support from day one. Leaders and staff consider children's individual circumstances, ensuring that those with limited outdoor space have plenty of opportunities to play in the garden and experience awe and wonder moments in the sensory room. Children are well supported in the nursery to develop important personal, social and emotional skills by the well-trained staff. Children bring a variety of experiences with them, including diversity in cultures, beliefs and languages. Staff ensure they provide books and resources that reflect this. Staff are highly vigilant to the emotional needs of the children. They swiftly intervene to regulate any unwanted behaviours. As such, any incident of unkindness are swiftly dealt with creating a calm and nurturing ethos.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders should continue to refine curriculum and assessment procedures to ensure staff have the information they need to maximise learning interactions across the areas of learning.
• Leaders should continue to build on their work with parents and carers to ensure children develop positive attendance habits in readiness for school.

Victoria Park Nursery is a truly inclusive setting where every child is treasured and supported to thrive. Staff know children and families remarkably well, providing sensitive, tailored support whether children have additional needs or are learning English as an additional language. Children arrive happy and eager to learn, with access to exciting enrichment activities like campfire cooking, library visits and work with local artists.

Safeguarding standards are met with an open and positive culture where all legal requirements are met and children feel safe.

Cooking on a campfire, library visits, meeting animals, working with local art groups and artists

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