Walshaw Nursery Ofsted Comments

Unique reference number EY415343
Inspection date 09/05/2025
Inspector Nicky Martin
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Children flourish in this nurturing and inspiring nursery. They are comforted and extremely well supported when they first attend. Their emotional well-being is given the utmost priority, and children are very happy and settled, as they are safe and secure.

Staff are highly skilled in supporting children who may need additional emotional support, for example through offering extra sessions to help children settle.

Staff plan and implement an ambitious and exciting curriculum that covers all areas of learning successfully. All children make exceptionally good progress. Children enjoy a range of stimulating activities based on their interests and next steps in learning. 

Children receive outstanding, high-quality interactions from the staff who care for them. Children flourish and develop exceedingly well. They have high levels of self-esteem and are extremely confident. Staff have high expectations, a nurturing manner and well-established routines to support children's outstanding behaviour.

Staff support children's language development exceptionally well. They provide consistent opportunities for children to learn new words. Staff skilfully use books to enhance children's vocabulary, conversational language and thinking skills as children predict the story's outcome.

Parents and carers of children with SEND are especially complimentary about the work of practitioners and leaders. They appreciate how the nursery ensures that all children learn and explore confidently alongside their peers. Managers use funding extremely well to help all children to make significant progress.

Staff expertly prioritise children's health and well-being. They support children superbly to recognise their feelings, and children are skilled at self-regulating their emotions. Children regularly take part in yoga and mindfulness sessions. Staff are excellent role models as they teach children to be respectful of each other, and their behaviour is exemplary. 

The curriculum for physical development is extremely ambitious. Staff use their spacious garden expertly well, providing activities that have a positive impact on children's physical health. For example, the children run down the steep hill at extreme pace, making their own decisions about direction and speed. They roll hoops to each other and enjoy bubble games with their friends. Children are able to measure their own risks and be physically active.

Staff are truly dedicated to making every child feel welcome. They value and celebrate every family and embody their culture and family values. Children have wonderful opportunities to develop their independence and learn about healthy lifestyles. 

Leadership is extremely strong. The dedicated management team is passionate and strives for excellence. It leads the nursery with determination through shared values and goals to enhance children's achievements. Practitioners consistently report high levels of support for their well-being. There is also effective engagement through team meetings and supervision sessions. Staff say they thoroughly enjoy working at the nursery and feel very well supported by leaders.