Early Years at Highfield Nursery in Ipswich Ofsted review

Early Years at Highfield, in Chesterfield Drive, was awarded the 'expected standard' rating by Ofsted after being reviewed in January.

This review comes after Ofsted changed their rating system from the 'one word' rating to better reflect the state of schools.

The early years setting received the expected standard for each category it was reviewed on - achievement, behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines, children's welfare and wellbeing, curriculum and teaching, inclusion and leadership and governance.

Ofsted explained there have been changes to leadership, with new managers leading the day-to-day running of the setting and receiving support from senior leaders.

The education watchdog said: "Teaching is not implemented consistently across the setting.

"While some staff skilfully respond to children's ideas, engage them in meaningful conversations and support them to collaborate and resolve minor conflicts, others do not routinely build on children's emerging thinking to extend learning further."

In February 2020, the early years setting was rated 'outstanding'.

A spokesperson for Early Years at Highfield said: "Overall, we are very pleased with the report. It documents that we are a caring and inclusive setting. Our staff are attentive and responsive to children's needs and we have good relationships with our parents. 

"Our safeguarding needs are met; as a setting, this is one of our main priorities because it overarches everything we do. 

"We are proud to be an inclusive setting that supports children and their families with additional needs. 

"The new management team, has implemented an action plan to address our areas for improvement.

"As a setting we're always progressing and looking for ways to enhance our practice

"We will continue to drive our action plan forward through a robust staff training and development plan."