A nursery in Harrogate where staff are praised for creating an ‘inclusive culture’ that helps children build confidence, resilience and positive attitudes to learning has received a glowing report following its latest Ofsted inspection.
Partou Safehands Day Nursery and Pre-School, located on Kent Road, has been highlighted for its consistently high standards, with inspectors commending the team’s ‘clear expectations for children’s behaviour’ and the positive way these are reinforced day to day.
In the newly published report, Ofsted noted that staff are ‘positive role models’ who provide children with clear guidance, helping them to understand expectations and behave well.
Ofsted recently changed the way early years settings are graded, replacing the previous single-word judgement with a renewed framework that focuses on safeguarding and six additional evaluation areas.
This new approach focuses on inclusion, curriculum and teaching, achievement, behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines, children’s welfare and wellbeing, and leadership and governance.
Nurseries achieving ‘strong standard’ for specific evaluation areas are deemed to be providing consistently high-quality education and care for all children.
Partou Safehands Day Nursery and Pre-School met ‘strong standard’ in three areas, including inclusion and children’s welfare and wellbeing, and ‘expected standard’ in the remaining three categories.
Inspectors described the nursery as a warm and nurturing environment where children feel safe and quickly form secure attachments with staff.
This, they said, helps children settle and grow in confidence.
The report highlights the independence encouraged from an early age, with children serving their own meals, brushing their teeth and taking on small responsibilities that help build pride and self-esteem.
Welfare and wellbeing is described as ‘at the heart of leaders’ practice’ with daily routines ‘well embedded’ to ‘help children feel secure’.
The inspector said: “Staff use stories, discussions and everyday experiences to help children understand, express and regulate their feelings.
“They encourage and recognise positive behaviours to build children’s self-esteem.”
Partnerships between Partou Safehands team members and families are described as ‘highly successful’.
The Ofsted report added: “Leaders value parents’ opinions on changes and they give feedback, such as voting for employee of the month.
“Parents speak positively about the care their children receive.
“They describe staff as accommodating, warm and caring.
“They greatly appreciate the consistent communication they receive about their children’s progress.
“For children with barriers to learning, strong partnership working and commitment from staff to enhance their own knowledge and understanding ensure these children make rapid progress.”
Set within an Edwardian building on Kent Road, in Harrogate, Partou Safehands Day Nursery and Pre-School provides large, well-resourced rooms with safe climbing areas and inspiring activities that encourage children to learn and develop through play.
Outdoor spaces provide additional opportunities for exploration in all weather conditions.
Vicky Gildea, Manager at Partou Safehands Day Nursery and Pre-School, said: “It is a really positive report card which reflects the dedication and professionalism of my fantastic team.
“We leave no stone unturned in our efforts to provide the best possible learning environment for children.
“The feedback from the families is also really satisfying and highlights the importance of working closely with them in everything we do.”
Samantha Rhodes, Managing Director at Partou, said: “Huge congratulations to Vicky and the team.
“Being graded ‘strong standard’ across three evaluation areas is a tremendous achievement and they should all be extremely proud.
“As a Partou nursery, it is particularly pleasing to read the positive comments about encouraging the children to be independent which, as the inspector rightly points out, helps them to grow in confidence, ready for the move to school.”
