The Nursery School Brighton

Inspection of The Nursery School Brighton 149 Ladies Mile Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 8TB

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicableNot applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children are welcomed into the exceptionally calm environment by caring staff, who share anecdotes and updates with parents before the day starts. This helps them provide a highly individualised curriculum for each child. For instance, they expertly adapt their planned daily activities to extend and build on children's home learning and new experiences.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff create an inspirational environment that gives children a strong foundation from which to become curious, life-long learners. Children benefit from an extremely well-sequenced curriculum that is fully embedded into staff practice. Staff focus on delivering the setting's aspirations for all children, including for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language. They provide children with exciting and stimulating activities that help build their skills and knowledge precisely, over time. For instance, babies use rollers and paintbrushes to develop and practise their physical skills, while older children have the strength and coordination to use a saw in the woodland.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff skilfully support children's resilience and emotional well-being. They help children develop a rich vocabulary to help them express their feelings, ideas and thoughts. Children are calm and relaxed while they play, happily sharing resources with one another and building friendships. Their diverse cultures, languages and lives are valued and respected. Staff plan exciting activities and trips to help children gain a deeper understanding of their place in society and the world.

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need to do better?

n Inspirational leaders and staff place children and families at the heart of their practice. Staff well-being is high and their dedication to providing a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment for all children is consistently demonstrated. Their strong knowledge of child development and excellent teaching are valued and fostered by leaders. n Staff expertly build on children's skills and extend their learning. They identify any gaps in learning and swiftly intervene, to help children reach their potential in precise and achievable steps. Leaders ensure any additional funding is used to provide well-researched training for staff and resources to help all children make rapid progress. n Staff use sensory experiences to underpin children's learning and develop their creativity. For example, babies delight in paddling in shallow water, toddlers paint on balloons, while older children create beads from elder tree sticks and

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need to do better?

thread them onto wool. Staff introduce new words to help children make links between these experiences and their prior knowledge. For example, when

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need to do better?

18 July 2025 children want to turn the water pink, they recall which colours they need to achieve this. n Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff establish routines that support children's well-being and self-esteem. For instance, children are given time to become fully immersed in their play without interruption. Staff skilfully step in to comfort babies before they become overly tired or distressed. Children thrive on the positive, calm and gentle approach staff take with them. n Children's speaking and listening skills are excellent. Staff listen carefully to children and expertly enhance their conversations when they introduce new words to extend their sentences. From a young age, staff help children develop a deep love and interest in books. They devote time to reading to children and developing stories in fun and enjoyable ways. Babies listen and repeat simple words, while older children confidently recite rhymes and poems. This helps to

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need to do better?

enrich children's language skills. n Staff cleverly introduce children to simple science and mathematics. They present children with complex challenges, such as finding ways to move water from one place to another or building towers with blocks. Children demonstrate high levels of mathematical awareness. For example, toddlers compare long and short pieces of wool, while older children recognise number patterns, and explain these in words, such as 'two fours make eight'. n Staff purposefully plan activities to improve children's physical skills. Children enjoy space to exert energy, build strength and stability and practise fine motor skills. For instance, babies explore musical instruments to develop their coordination and muscle control, while older children confidently use tweezers and scissors. n Staff help children adopt healthy lifestyles in meaningful and age-appropriate ways. They inspire children to try nutritious food as part of an enjoyable and

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need to do better?

sociable mealtime. Babies display excellent independence skills when they drink from open cups, while older children competently use cutlery. They demonstrate self-confidence and pride in their achievements. n Parent partnership is exceptional. From the outset, parents are valued and encouraged to become involved in children's learning. For instance, there are welcoming spaces for parents to relax and rest and daily opportunities to speak with staff, who regularly discuss children's progress with them. They share ideas to support children's learning at home, such as weekly home activities, and advice around potty training and oral hygiene.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2789554 Local authority Brighton and Hove Inspection number 10413992 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 90 Number of children on roll 77 Name of registered person The Nursery School Company Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07971953292 Date of previous inspection Not applicableNot applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Nursery School Brighton registered in June 2024 and is based in Brighton, East Sussex. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year. They offer government funded places for children aged between nine months and four years. There are 17 staff employed in the nursery, of whom 11 hold childcare qualifications from level 2 to level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke with staff, children and parents and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this had on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

18 July 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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