Midland Road Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Midland Road Nursery School is a special place to be. It is a school for everyone, where leaders and staff know children and their families exceptionally well. Children flourish in a calm, purposeful and high-quality learning environment.

Staff take every opportunity to encourage children's independence. Each interaction is given the time it deserves. Every conversation is used as a learning point.

Even the youngest two-year-olds are taught to collect their hats and coats independently when they go outside. Children develop independent skills such as making pizza, washing up their own pots and utensils and wiping down the tables. Children at Midland Road develop the i...ndependence and confidence to make their own choices.

As a result, children are developing exceptionally positive learning behaviours and demonstrate a strong motivation to learn.

The school has high expectations for children's behaviour. Staff are exceptional role models.

They skilfully support children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to develop the social skills they need for the future. Children use the high-quality provision, both indoors and outdoors, with respect. They build up good relationships with others, take turns and listen carefully to the adults around them.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders are responsible for Midland Road Nursery School, as well as Abbey Green Nursery School. They work with staff, families and children across both sites. Staff at both schools have an exceptional understanding of the starting points that children have.

They have designed a highly ambitious curriculum for all children across both nursery school communities.

Staff are knowledgeable about child development and how learning builds over time. They work skilfully with children within the stimulating learning environment to build on their knowledge.

Staff ensure that the provision and their teaching are carefully adapted to meet the needs of all children. As a result, children at both schools are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their education.

There is a sharp focus on developing children's communication and language skills.

New words that children need to learn are identified and used across all areas of learning. Staff are exceptional in the way that they develop children's language skills through purposeful conversations. Leaders ensure that children take part in thoughtfully planned wider experiences to reinforce and embed this new language.

For example, a planned visit from some owls enabled the children to develop their knowledge and language related to their new first-hand experience.

Right from the start of joining the nursery school, staff help children to develop an early love of reading. Staff regularly read and share stories with children.

They create exciting opportunities for children to bring the stories to life, such as using role play and props to retell the story.

Staff provide regular opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. They encourage children to try hard and keep going when they find things difficult.

For instance, children learn to play safely while navigating their way around, over, under and through the various outdoor equipment. Children are adept at taking and managing safe risks. This helps children to build their self-confidence and resilience, as well as their strength, coordination and balance.

Children with SEND are welcomed warmly into this inclusive nursery school. Staff have an exceptional knowledge of how to support this group of children to learn and become part of the school community. They skilfully intervene, when needed, to help children to manage their feelings and emotions.

Parents of children with SEND say that their children thrive under the care of the adults, who know them well.

The school's approach to developing children's personal and social development is impressive and well considered. Children learn how to manage their own self-care and hygiene from a young age.

This includes learning how to brush their teeth and how to make healthy food choices. Carefully selected stories and wider experiences support children's learning in a range of areas. Leaders work with parents to inform them of these key messages.

For example, they speak about online safety so that parents can continue to support their own children's use of modern technologies at home safely.

Leaders deliberately plan a variety of educational visits that carefully link to children's learning and development needs. In addition, both schools take parents and children to local parks, then on train journeys to other nearby towns and cities, before travelling further afield to the seaside.

Parents recognise that this gives them the confidence to be able to take their children to places and engage them in experiences outside of their immediate community.

Leaders are aware of the changing needs within the community. All children who require their care quickly become part of the 'family' that leaders have created within the school.

This includes children who have recently arrived from overseas or those with significant medical needs. The level of care and support provided to these children is inspiring. Leaders are tenacious in ensuring that children get the timely support they require when needed.

Staff and governors share this relentless aspiration.

The governing body has taken significant steps to ensure that it is well equipped to challenge and support leaders. Staff are proud to work at both Abbey Green and Midland Road Nursery Schools.

They feel valued and appreciated by leaders. Leaders are strategic in ensuring that all staff have the training they need to continue to be highly effective.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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