A hospital nursery in Buckinghamshire has been described as ‘homely’ in a new Ofsted report.

The education standards watchdog has inspected Amersham Hospital Day Nursery in Old Amersham.

With 55 children currently enrolled, the nursery with 20 members of staff primarily looks after the children of NHS staff at the hospital on Whielden Street.

Now the nursery has received a ‘good’ rating for its overall effectiveness following an inspection on May 16.

The Ofsted inspector said: “Children are happy, confident and motivated to learn in this welcoming and homely nursery. They thrive through the close and loving bonds they form with the nurturing and caring staff.

Bucks Free Press: Amersham Hospital Day Nursery has been rated 'good'Amersham Hospital Day Nursery has been rated 'good' (Image: Pixabay)

“Babies giggle and smile as staff respond to their cues playfully.”

All the children, aged from less than a year to four-years-old, were seen to behave well and make “good progress,” including those with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

What the nursery does well

Ofsted said the children learn “rich and varied vocabulary” during music sessions, including recognising and choosing their favourite instruments.

The children take part exercise, yoga and music movement routines in the fresh air to “learn the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.”

The older children create balancing beams and babies and toddlers climb on the soft-play equipment to build their strength.

The staff encourage the children to use “positive techniques” to understand their emotions and express feelings, and as a result the children are “kind, polite and develop good social skills,” the report said.

Leaders at the nursery were found to support staff well-being through professional development, progress into senior roles and work qualifications.

“Staff are highly reflective and work together to consistently enhance the quality of care and education for children,” Ofsted noted.

Parents took advantage of the nursery’s lending library by taking books home to continue learning at home.

Safeguarding arrangements at the nursery were also found to be effective, the inspector said.

What needs to improve

 

Although the staff talk to children about what they are doing and ask questions to test their understanding, at times “staff do not make sure that children who are less confident to speak in group situations have the same opportunities to do so as their peers,” the report noted.

The inspector said occasionally staff “do not give children the time they need to respond to questions and express their thoughts and ideas.”

The nursery was told to support staff to consistently give children time they need to think and respond to questions, the report said.