1 week Ago By [email protected] (Lewis Clarke)
A "nurturing environment" where children "are happy, settled and content" has helped secure another positive inspection outcome for Bingham Kindergarten in Cirencester. The nursery school, based in Bingham Hall on King Street, was judged across all areas by Ofsted following a visit on Wednesday, January 22. The inspection report highlighted the strength of relationships between staff, children and their families, stating: “Children are happy, settled and content.
They demonstrate confidence when they arrive, hanging their coats up on their pegs as they rush off to play with their friends.” Inspectors observed that children confidently approach staff, and that there is a strong emphasis on helping them feel “safe and secure in their care”. Bingham Kindergarten is a nursery setting registered for 56 children, with 18 currently on roll.
It caters for children aged two to four and operates during term time, from Monday to Thursday. The school has a small team of five staff members, including a manager with qualified teacher status and two others holding early years qualifications at levels 2 and 3 respectively. According to the report, staff at the nursery deliver “an ambitious curriculum and provide children with a wide range of experiences based on things that interest them.
” Inspectors observed children learning through fairy tales, using storytelling as a springboard for creative and imaginative play. One example included children making their own wooden bridge, inspired by storybook props, while exploring how to balance it. “Children are independent in choosing what they would like to play with, and they confidently approach staff when they need them,” inspectors noted.
The Ofsted team also commended the nursery’s focus on early language development: “Leaders and staff place a high focus on supporting children's language and literacy skills. They frequently read books to children, including focus stories that are read regularly. This helps children to be familiar with the story and learn new words and language.
” Children were seen listening intently during story time and taking part in action songs with “giggles” and enthusiasm. Inspectors praised the children's positive attitudes to learning and their eagerness to get involved: “Younger children listen carefully and excitedly follow instructions to find the plastic animals that staff have hid from them..
. Older children learn about different materials and tools as they explore floating and sinking and using materials such as clay and wood to make their own models.” Staff were also recognised for quickly identifying any learning delays or additional needs: “Staff tailor support for children's specific needs to help them access the curriculum and make progress with their learning.
” The report acknowledged that staff work closely with both parents and professionals to address gaps in learning. Partnerships with parents emerged as another strength of the setting, with the report noting that these are “strong and well established.” Parents spoke positively about “the nurturing environment and caring staff” and praised the wide range of learning opportunities.
One example given was that children “take part in community events and enjoy learning French.” Parents also said they were well informed about their children’s progress and happy with the level of support provided. Children benefit from regular outdoor play and outings to the park, where they can “have fresh air and exercise”.
During these trips, “staff set clear and consistent boundaries so that children know how to keep themselves safe as they cross the road together and when they are playing.” The children were seen excitedly playing games such as hide and seek. Staff were described as knowing the children well, with their “close monitoring” of development enabling them to deliver precise support.
“Children eagerly involve staff in their games as they play imaginatively together,” the report said. Leadership at the nursery was also highlighted as a positive, with leaders maintaining a “good oversight of their curriculum and the quality of education being delivered.” They hold regular meetings to reflect on practice and children’s progress.
However, one area for improvement was noted: inspectors found that “leaders do not identify some weaknesses in practice as swiftly,” with a particular reference to procedures around handwashing. Safeguarding arrangements at the setting were found to be effective, with “an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first”. Lucienne Hughes from the nursery said: “We were very pleased with our report- I think it highlighted what we do really well, engage and get to know each child well and nurture their individuality.
The nursery gives a varied and exciting curriculum from woodwork, singing, weekly French lessons, to sports, art and story writing, as referred to in the report; our ambitious curriculum and providing children with a wide range of experiences. “The inspectors were very thorough and fair, it is always an intense day of inspection, but we were ready for it and excited to show what we do and how we do it. We had an inspector inspecting the inspector which turned up the stress dial another notch.
Any practical recommendations were dealt with easily and although their feedback feels like criticism at the time, after a long day, on reflection is usually valid and helpful.” Bingham Kindergarten previously received a rating in 2019 and has successfully maintained this standard in its latest inspection..
