Early years · Early years inspection (EIF)
Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge Nursery
Summary
What we read, and from where
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- Group verified
Coalbrookdale And Ironbridge Nursery CIO
- Group reference verified
RP548999
- Inspection date verified
18 Sept 2025
- Inspectors verified
Sue Smith
- Behaviour and attitudes verified
Good
- Leadership and management verified
Good
- Overall effectiveness verified
Good
- Personal development verified
Good
- Previous overall verified
Good
- Quality of education verified
Good
- Postcode verified
TF8 7DS
- Name on report verified
Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge Nursery
- URN verified
EY549000
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
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Grade profile
Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2019.
- OverallGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Quality of educationGood
79% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (17,905 inspections).
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
Reads more warmly than most reports of this type graded Good.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- The long-standing team work extremely well together, sharing a clear and ambitious vision for the setting. p.2
- Children form strong and trusting relationships with staff. p.2
- Children learn to express their ideas clearly, supporting their ability to interact confidently and lays a strong foundation for future learning. p.2
- Parents are highly positive about the setting, praising the warm, nurturing relationships staff build with both children and families. p.3
- Staff deliver a well-sequenced and engaging curriculum that reflects children's interests and developmental stages. p.2
Concerns
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No strong criticism found.
Next steps
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What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Wellbeing & mental health5
“Parents comment that new starters are well supported with individual emotional care.” p.3Staff development3
“Staff complete mandatory training, such as paediatric first aid.” p.2
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 6
- Words of findings
- 793
- about usual (typical 803)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 42, typical 54
- Average sentence
- 15 words
- Next steps
- 1
- typical 2
- Hedged sentences
- 4%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Inspection of Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge Nursery Coalbrookdale And Ironbridge Nursery, Dale End, Coalbrookdale, Telford TF8 7DS
p.1
Overall effectiveness Good
The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good
p.1
The provision is good
Children form strong and trusting relationships with staff. They feel safe and secure in the setting. Children arrive eagerly each day and are keen to join in play and socialise with their peers. Staff offer reassurance and cuddles to less confident children, which helps them to settle quickly and nurtures their emotional well- being. Staff deliver a well-sequenced and engaging curriculum that reflects children's interests and developmental stages. Activities are planned with clear intent. The curriculum builds effectively on what children already know and can do, and staff skilfully extend children's learning. For example, they encourage creativity by providing a variety of materials for children to design pet collars. Children enthusiastically select resources, express their ideas and develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. They talk with staff about their creations, which promotes both language development and self-confidence.
p.2
The provision is good
Staff consistently model positive behaviour, using good manners and encouraging children to do the same. They calmly redirect children from any unwanted behaviours and reinforce their clear expectations. This supports children to manage their emotions in an age-appropriate way. Children understand and follow daily routines. They show independence as they wash their hands, tidy away toys and pour their drinks. Staff praise children in their tasks and give them encouragement to succeed. A special helper is assigned roles during the week, such as helping make snack or filling the bird feeders. This helps to boost children's confidence and supports their self-esteem.
p.2
need to do better?
n The long-standing team work extremely well together, sharing a clear and ambitious vision for the setting. They are committed to continually improving teaching and outcomes for the children in their care. Staff complete mandatory training, such as paediatric first aid. They engage in ongoing professional development, carefully monitoring its impact on children's progress. Students on placement are actively supported by staff, which promotes their professional growth and helps maintain consistency for the children. n Most children show an eagerness to engage in the learning experiences on offer. They have a good range of resources that supports their development in all areas of learning. For example, they develop their imagination in the role-play area, showing empathy and imagination as they look after the dolls. They independently look at books, turning the pages to look at the pictures. Children
p.2
need to do better?
learn about nature and the world around them as they plant seeds and grow vegetables. However, occasionally some children require additional support from staff during free play to maintain high levels of engagement and are not challenged enough to make the progress they are capable of.
p.2
need to do better?
18 September 2025 n Staff develop children's communication and language well. They narrate children's play, talking to them about activities and encouraging conversations by asking open-ended questions. Children show enthusiasm to tell staff stories and discuss their ideas and concepts. For example, as children build with construction bricks, they tell staff about the castle they have made and who might live there. Children learn to express their ideas clearly, supporting their ability to interact confidently and lays a strong foundation for future learning. n Staff seamlessly integrate mathematics into children's learning throughout the day. They count, discuss shapes, sizes, and colours, and introduce mathematical language during everyday interactions. For example, at lunchtime, children count how many are seated at each table, and staff use terms, such as 'more or less', to compare numbers. This gives numbers real-life context and supports
p.2
need to do better?
children's understanding of early mathematical concepts. n Staff actively support children's understanding of healthy lifestyles, including handwashing, oral hygiene and healthy eating. They engage parents in discussions about nutritious lunch boxes and share relevant guidance. Children benefit from daily fresh air and exercise in the outdoor learning environment. They develop physical skills as they explore, riding scooters and running and jumping in the play area. They use large muscles to mark make with water and brushes, further developing their early writing skills. Children negotiate and take appropriate risks and develop their resilience and self-esteem, which also benefits their mental well-being. n Parents are highly positive about the setting, praising the warm, nurturing relationships staff build with both children and families. Parents comment that new starters are well supported with individual emotional care. From the outset,
p.3
need to do better?
staff work in close partnership with parents, using detailed information to tailor care and learning to each child's needs. Staff support parents in areas, such as toilet training, offering support and advice. Daily communication is a key strength, with staff providing regular verbal updates and sharing important information about children's development and well-being.
p.3
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
p.3
Safeguarding
There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.
p.3
should:
n develop routines to further support children ,who need more intervention during free-play activities, to sustain high levels of engagement.
p.3
Setting details
Unique reference number EY549000 Local authority Telford & Wrekin Inspection number 10399284 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises
p.4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care
p.4
inspection
Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 12 Name of registered person Coalbrookdale And Ironbridge Nursery CIO
p.4
reference number
Telephone number 01952 433325 Date of previous inspection 26 November 2019
p.4
Information about this early years setting
Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge Nursery registered in 1977 and re-registered in 2017 when it converted to a charitable incorporated organisation. It is situated within Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge CofE Primary School. The setting employs two members of childcare staff. Staff hold qualifications at level 3 and above. The setting operates term time only from 8am until 3.30pm, Monday to Friday. The setting provides early education funding for all eligible children.
p.4
Inspection activities
n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection 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 was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.
p.5
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.
p.5
Inspection activities
18 September 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.
p.5
Inspection activities
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Inspection activities
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Inspection activities
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Inspection activities
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