Summary
What we read, and from where
Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.
- Achievement verified
Expected standard
- Behaviour, attitudes and routines verified
Expected standard
- Children's welfare and wellbeing verified
Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching verified
Expected standard
- Inclusion verified
Strong standard
- Leadership and governance verified
Expected standard
- Framework verified
Report card
- Group verified
Ashridge Nursery CIO
- Inspection datesingle source
23 Sept 2026
- Inspectors verified
Anneliese Fox-Jones
- Postcode verified
RG40 1PG
- Name on report verified
Ashridge Nursery
- Safeguarding verified
Met
- URN verified
2533773
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
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Grade profile
Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.
- AchievementExpected
- Behaviour, attitudes and routinesExpected
- Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected
- Curriculum and teachingExpected
- InclusionStrong
- Leadership and governanceExpected
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
In line with other reports of this type.
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.
- Children develop warm and trusting relationships with their key person, who knows them well. p.3
- The new management team has brought a positive focus to the setting and is working collaboratively to establish a settled and supportive staff team. p.4
- Children have regular opportunities to develop their physical skills through active play and they enjoy spending time outdoors, developing their strength, coordination and balance. p.3
- Overall, children form secure friendships and engage positively in collaborative and independent play. p.3
- They feel safe, ready to learn and enjoy their time at the setting. p.3
Concerns
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
No strong criticism found.
Next steps
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- Leaders should continue to develop targeted support and coaching for staff to ensure consistently high-quality interactions with children and a shared approach to supporting behaviour and engagement. p.6
- Leaders should continue to develop the mathematical curriculum to help staff consistently enhance children's early skills. p.6
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Communication & language12
“Parents value the partnerships with staff, effective communication, and the nurturing environment.” p.4
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 8
- Words of findings
- 1,755
- about usual (typical 1698)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 32, typical 43
- Average sentence
- 18 words
- Next steps
- 2
- typical 3
- Hedged sentences
- 1%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Ashridge Nursery
Unique reference number (URN): 2533773 Address: Ashridge Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1PG Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registered with Ofsted: 03/08/2020 Registers: EYR Registered person: Ashridge Nursery CIO
p.1
Safeguarding standards met
The safeguarding standards are met. This means that leaders and/or those responsible for governance and oversight fulfil their specific responsibilities and have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed. As a result, children are made safer and feel safe.
p.1
How we evaluate safeguarding
When we inspect settings for safeguarding, they can have the following outcomes:
p.1
How we evaluate safeguarding
Met: The setting has an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not met: The setting has not created an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not all legal requirements are met.
p.1
Inclusion Strong standard
Inclusion is a well-established part of practice. Leaders and staff know children and their families considerably well. They swiftly and accurately identify any potential barriers to learning and participation. Staff use their knowledge of children's individual circumstances to make appropriate adaptations or one-to-one interventions and ensure that children can access the curriculum alongside their peers. For example, children's targets are broken down into small, achievable steps, including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. This enables staff to recognise progress and provide support that is closely matched to children's individual needs.
p.2
Inclusion Strong standard
Leaders take effective action to support children who may be disadvantaged or vulnerable. They ensure any additional funding is used purposefully to enhance children's experiences and learning, including extra sports coaching, animal organisations visits to the setting and additional resources where required. Staff also make thoughtful adaptations for children with physical or additional needs, enabling them to participate fully while developing their independence.
p.2
Inclusion Strong standard
Parents and carers are valued and are encouraged to share information about their children, cultures and family experiences. Leaders work effectively with external professionals, including speech and language therapists and local schools to ensure support is coordinated and responsive. As a result, children experience a welcoming and respectful environment where differences are valued. They are supported to overcome barriers, participate fully in the life of the nursery and develop a positive sense of belonging.
p.2
Achievement Expected standard
Children progress well from their individual starting points. Children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities or face other barriers to learning are identified early and supported through appropriate adaptations and targeted support.
p.2
Achievement Expected standard
Children gain the necessary skills in relation to their personal, social and emotional development. For instance, they develop confidence in making friends and show enthusiasm for trying new things. Older children persist for extended periods and discuss their intentions when particular activities grasp their attention. Children also learn to take turns and develop early negotiation skills that are helpful for future collaborative play and learning. Generally, children have opportunities to explore mathematical concepts through planned activities and experiences.
p.2
Achievement Expected standard
Children show an interest in books, in particular familiar stories being read to them. They also enjoy acting out familiar routines when playing in the role play area and pretending to make dinner. Children typically develop their communication and language skills, with many becoming increasingly confident in expressing their needs, sharing ideas and talking with familiar adults and other children.
p.2
Achievement Expected standard
Overall, children develop a range of skills that prepare them for their next stage of learning. For example, they build confidence in communicating, develop independence in everyday routines and learn to persevere when faced with challenges.
p.3
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard
Leaders support staff to establish a positive and inclusive environment where children are learning to understand the expectations for behaviour, attitudes and routines. Children behave well and typically engage in activities. They show positive attitudes to learning, particularly when activities reflect their interests and developmental stage. However, on occasions the overall approach to reinforcing boundaries and expectations are not yet consistently applied by all staff, particularly during energetic transitions and outdoor play. This does not help children to fully understand what is expected of them.
p.3
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard
A visual timetable and daily routines help children understand what happens next. Staff recognise that children are at different stages of development and adapt expectations appropriately, including for younger children, new starters and children who may become overwhelmed. During group times, children who are not yet ready to remain for the whole session are supported to access learning in ways that meet their needs.
p.3
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard
Children develop warm and trusting relationships with their key person, who knows them well. This helps children to manage their feelings and supports their emotional wellbeing. Staff work closely with parents and carers to promote regular attendance. Leaders have effective arrangements to rigorously monitor attendance and follow up any unexpected absences.
p.3
Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard
Leaders have established a nurturing and inclusive environment where children's welfare, wellbeing and individual needs are prioritised. Staff know the children well and understand their interests, personalities and individual circumstances. The key person arrangements are effective to provide children with familiar adults who offer reassurance and support, helping them to feel secure and valued. New children are given appropriate support to settle and develop trusting relationships with staff.
p.3
Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard
Staff respond sensitively to children's emotional needs and provide reassurance when they seek support. Children are encouraged to recognise and express their feelings and are supported to develop confidence and positive relationships with others. Furthermore, leaders help staff to identify any barriers to children's learning and wellbeing at an early stage and provide additional support or adaptations where needed. This includes appropriate targeted support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
p.3
Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard
Children have regular opportunities to develop their physical skills through active play and they enjoy spending time outdoors, developing their strength, coordination and balance. Staff promote children's understanding of healthy choices, hygiene and emotional wellbeing through everyday routines and experiences. Overall, children form secure friendships and engage positively in collaborative and independent play. They feel safe, ready to learn and enjoy their time at the setting.
p.3
Curriculum and teaching Expected standard
Leaders and the staff team have designed and introduced a new curriculum this term that is suitably sequenced, enabling children to revisit and practise key knowledge and skills across the areas of learning. Staff understand children's individual needs and use their knowledge of children's interests and starting points when planning activities.
p.4
Curriculum and teaching Expected standard
Overall, teaching is generally purposeful, with staff providing sensitive support that helps children to become engaged and develop their learning. Staff are knowledgeable about children's progress, the next steps in their learning and use this information to inform their planning. They support language development through everyday interactions and activities.
p.4
Curriculum and teaching Expected standard
The curriculum is in the early stages of fruition, and staff talk positively about how they are noticing that this is beginning to have a positive impact on the teaching and learning, but it is not yet fully embedded. At times, staff skilfully extend children's thinking and language by responding to their ideas and misconceptions. However, there are occasions when valuable opportunities to develop children's knowledge and mathematical thinking are not fully extended. Appropriate adaptations are made for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who may have potential barriers to their learning, helping them participate and make progress from their starting points.
p.4
Leadership and governance Expected standard
Leaders understand the setting's strengths and areas for development and are taking appropriate action to improve the quality of provision. The new management team has brought a positive focus to the setting and is working collaboratively to establish a settled and supportive staff team. Leaders recognise the impact these changes have had and are working closely with staff to ensure they feel valued and supported.
p.4
Leadership and governance Expected standard
Leaders have high expectations for children and involve staff in decisions about changes to practice. They have worked collectively with the team to review and rewrite the curriculum and have identified priorities for further improvement. Leaders understand how they can support staff's teaching practice. There is scope to enhance this, to help staff to extend children's knowledge and skills further as they play.
p.4
Leadership and governance Expected standard
Staff feel supported and their professional development is valued. Staff access mandatory and personalised training, including opportunities in special educational needs and /or disabilities, speech and language and other areas linked to their interests and development. Leaders support staff to undertake higher-level qualifications and provide opportunities to develop career pathways within the setting.
p.4
Leadership and governance Expected standard
Leaders work positively with parents and external professionals. Families are encouraged to share information about their children and contribute their cultures and experiences to the setting. Leaders and staff communicate regularly with parents both verbally and using an online app. They provide ideas on how parents can continue their child's learning at home. Parents speak positively about the provision and care their children receive. Parents value the partnerships with staff, effective communication, and the nurturing environment.
p.4
What it's like to be a child at this setting
Children experience a warm, welcoming and inclusive nursery where they are known well by the adults who care for them. From arrival, children are helped to feel that they belong. They find their own photograph and quickly become familiar with their individual peg and tray. New children are supported sensitively to settle, while more confident children help create a welcoming environment for those who are still developing their confidence. Familiar welcome songs and opportunities to recall friends names further help children feel valued and part of the nursery community.
p.5
What it's like to be a child at this setting
Children have many opportunities to follow their interests and learn through purposeful play. Outdoors, they enthusiastically explore dinosaurs in the sand and water, make dinosaur prints, roll cars down guttering and experiment with pulleys. They develop their imagination in the play shop, using herbs and natural resources to create meals, talking about what they need to add to their 'dinner'. Children also enjoy climbing, balancing and negotiating the obstacles, supporting their physical development, coordination and confidence.
p.5
What it's like to be a child at this setting
Children are encouraged to become increasingly independent. At snack time, they find their names, wash their hands, choose from a range of foods, are supported to pour their drinks and help to clear away their plates afterwards. At lunchtime, staff encourage children to attempt to open packets for themselves and support them to develop safe and healthy eating habits.
p.5
What it's like to be a child at this setting
Children's individual needs are understood and sensitively supported. For example, they are gradually supported to explore the activities in their own way. Furthermore, children receive additional support and intervention for speech and language at the earliest opportunities. Staff use visual communication resources and simple language, helping children increasingly use words to express themselves. This is particularly valuable for children who speak English as an additional language. Overall, children are happy, curious and increasingly confident. They form friendships, develop independence and enjoy a broad range of experiences that prepare them well for their next stage of learning.
p.5
Address:
Ashridge Road Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1PG
p.6
Address:
Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises
p.6
Address:
Operating hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 08:45 - 15:30
p.6
Next steps
Leaders should continue to develop targeted support and coaching for staff to ensure consistently high-quality interactions with children and a shared approach to supporting behaviour and engagement. Leaders should continue to develop the mathematical curriculum to help staff consistently enhance children's early skills.
p.6
About this inspection
The inspector spoke with leaders, staff, children, parents, the special educational needs coordinator, and the designated safeguarding lead during the inspection.
p.6
About this inspection
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.6
Facts and figures used on inspection
This data was available to the inspector at the time of the inspection.
p.7
Exceptional
Practice is exceptional: of the highest standard nationally. Other settings can learn from it.
p.7
Strong standard
The setting reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them.
p.7
Expected standard
The setting is fulfilling the expected standard of education and/or care. This means they are following the standard set out in statutory and non ‑ statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them.
p.7
Needs attention
The expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements.
p.7
Urgent improvement
The setting needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care. services providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.
p.7
Urgent improvement
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p.8
Urgent improvement
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Urgent improvement
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Urgent improvement
T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted
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