News
ISI Inspection: Outstanding outcomes for children
| The quality and standards of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at Berkhamsted Day Nursery and Berkhamsted Pre-Prep are ‘outstanding’ across all five key areas, according to a recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). |
Headteacher Karen O’Connor is thrilled to be able to share the overwhelmingly positive inspection findings with parents and staff at the start of the new academic year: “All aspects of our Early Years provision were judged as outstanding; I was especially proud of the finding that ‘the emotional well-being of children is a priority in this caring, nurturing setting’ while recognising that we ensure the children ‘make excellent, continuous progress’. It captures our philosophy perfectly.”
| “Outcomes for children are outstanding. All children make excellent continuous progress in relation to their individual starting points and capabilities due to the nurturing and supportive environment that recognises each child as an individual.” ISI, 2016 |
The Principal of Berkhamsted Schools Group, Richard Backhouse, is delighted the ISI report acknowledges the exceptional professionalism and dedication of the staff at both the Day Nursery and Pre-Prep: “The inspectors recognised that, underpinning the outstanding personal development, behaviour, welfare and outcomes of the children in our care, is a superb management and staff team who are working hard to maintain the quality of care and breadth of curriculum. It’s clear that children make an outstanding start to their education in Berkhamsted Pre-Prep.”
The Inspection report, which covered Berkhamsted Day Nursery (ages five months to three years) and the Nursery and Reception classes at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep, includes the following accolades:
- “Children at all stages of development within the EYFS make consistently rapid progress in relation to their individual starting points which culminates in almost every child achieving or, in many cases, exceeding the expected levels of development for their age.”
- “Leaders and senior managers have a shared and consistent vision for the continued development of the EYFS, driven by a nurturing and child-centred ethos. … the quality of the provision is continually monitored to ensure that the high expectations for children’s development and the quality of care and breadth of the curriculum are maintained at the already high levels.”
- “Staff respond positively to children’s exploration and are highly adept at developing children’s self-initiated activities to draw out the learning potential.”
- “Children are confident, independent learners who relish the opportunities provided both indoors and outside. They enjoy coming to school and approach every activity with enthusiasm.”
- “Children demonstrate extensive knowledge of the natural world … Nursery children were able to describe the life cycle of a butterfly using appropriate terminology, and those in Reception named different plants a mini-beasts during a visit to the woodland classroom.”
The short notice inspection of the Berkhamsted Day Nursery and Berkhamsted Pre-Prep, which are part of the Berkhamsted Schools Group, took place on 21 and 22 June. The focus of the interim inspection was compliance with EYFS regulatory requirements. The full report is available via the link below:
| ISI Inspection Report: Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Berkhamsted Day Nursery – 2016 | PDF |
Both Berkhamsted Day Nursery and Berkhamsted Pre-Prep will hold Open Mornings on Friday 30 September (9am – noon) and Saturday 1 October (10am – noon). To attend please book online here or call 01442 358001 for more information.
