Children 1st @ Newark rated good by Ofsted after previously requiring improvement
A school which previously required improvement has been rated as good following an Ofsted inspection.
Children 1st @ Newark on Muskham Road, Newark is an early years nursery catering for two, three, and four-year-old children.
Ofsted assessed the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and the nursery was found to be good in all areas.
The good rating, following the publication of the report in December of last year, is a clear improvement on the previous inspection conducted in December 2021 which concluded the nursery required improvement.
Two areas in which the school improved were in leadership and management and quality of education, with the most recent report saying that the manager had demonstrated good leadership since the last inspection and has developed staff practice and raised the quality of the education that children receive.
Also highlighted was how well staff communicate with parents, using through a variety of methods. Parents are invited to discuss their child's care and learning and also provided with updates and at home learning via an online system.
From a young age, children also develop the independence skills that they need for moving through their early education and beyond.
Staff have created a calm and well-organised learning environment thanks to maintaining consistent expectations and children follow instructions and respond well to the boundaries they have been set.
Children are also provided with opportunities to learn outside in the outdoor classroom and large garden, providing fresh air and daily exercise.
The manager has also focused on staff training to develop teaching, which has had a positive impact on learning.
Safeguarding arrangements were also noted as being effective.
Margaret Mason OBE, founder and chief executive of Children 1st Day Nurseries said: “The report is a pleasure to read and the improved rating is something staff, children and parents can be proud of.
"I’m particularly pleased by the inspector’s positive comments about the effectiveness of communication with parents, how children develop their independence and the strong leadership at the nursery.
"Our nursery manager Sophie has worked hard to develop and lead our talented team and it is good that her hard work, and that of the whole team, has been recognised by Ofsted.
“Children 1st @ Newark has been part of the Children 1st family for over 22 years and we are proud to have played a part in the lives of many Newark families.
"I would like to thank our parents for their support, especially during and after the pandemic when we had to adapt to a new way of working. Hopefully, all that is behind us now.
"We are enjoying welcoming our families back into nursery for events such as the recent brilliant Christmas productions. Long may it continue.”
Sophie Willis, manager of Children 1st @ Newark said: “The improved judgement is testament to the hard work we have put in over recent months, so we are all thrilled, especially as the news came shortly after our setting was rated 10/10 by parents on Daynurseries.co.uk.
"I am pleased that how well our staff care for and look after the children whilst developing their independence was noted as this is something we hugely value.
"We want children to leave us as confident children ready to take on their next challenge of ‘big school’.
"I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved here and I am grateful to the entire team for giving it 100% every single day.”
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the inspector recommended that the nursery should support staff to consistently recognise younger children's communication and language attempts, and to respond promptly to promote their development in this area
The nursery should also review and amend topic-based learning so that it is relevant and appropriate for all pre-school aged children.
