When Ofsted inspectors visited YMCA Andover (East Anton) in August, the new inspection framework gave them six separate areas of nursery life to explore.
And across every one of them, they reached the same conclusion: Strong Standard.
Achievement. Behaviour, attitudes and routines. Children’s welfare and wellbeing. Curriculum and teaching. Inclusion. Leadership and governance.
Six areas. Six Strong Standards. Safeguarding standards met.
Under Ofsted’s new grading system, Strong Standard has a particular significance. It means the setting is not simply meeting what is expected. Ofsted describes it as a setting where leaders are working above the standard expected of them.
Behind those six green markers is a much more important story about what children experience every day.
Happy, motivated learners
Inspectors described babies and children as happy, motivated and eager to learn.
Children develop independence by making choices throughout their day, from selecting their own snacks to older children proudly laying the table before mealtimes. They learn to express their thoughts and feelings, build friendships and take responsibility for their surroundings.
There are lovely glimpses of that learning throughout the report.
Babies enthusiastically learn the word “digger” alongside its Makaton sign. Older children recreate The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Others use their imaginations to make dinosaur food while counting the scoops, or test their balance and coordination outdoors.
These may look like ordinary moments of nursery life. But together, they build communication, confidence, independence and the skills children will take into their next stage of learning.
Inclusion that is embedded, not added on
One of the strongest themes running through the Andover report is inclusion.
Inspectors found staff highly proactive in identifying children experiencing barriers to learning and putting early support in place. They recognised strong collaboration with health visitors, speech and language therapists and families, helping children receive coordinated support quickly.
Importantly, inclusive practice isn’t described as something separate from everyday nursery life.
Adaptations are made naturally. Routines provide stability and familiarity. Children’s views are heard and valued. Those with SEND or other barriers to learning receive targeted support that helps them make strong progress from their individual starting points.
Strong teams create strong experiences
There is another part of the report that deserves recognition beyond Andover itself.
Inspectors highlighted the way leaders support staff development, wellbeing and workload, with meaningful supervision that recognises effective practice and creates opportunities for colleagues to develop.
Some team members are already working towards leadership positions, while colleagues share their skills with newer staff and other settings across YMCA Fairthorne Group.
That is exactly the kind of practice that can have an impact beyond one nursery.
The same outward-looking approach can be seen in Andover’s relationships with families and its community. Inspectors recognised support ranging from stay-and-play sessions and signposting to other services, through to providing additional resources and food parcels when families need them.
What comes next?
Even a Strong Standard isn’t the end of the journey.
Ofsted’s next step for Andover is to continue developing its successful work to remove barriers for children who need additional help, with the ambition of creating an even greater impact on children’s achievement and wellbeing.
For now, though, this is an achievement worth recognising.
Six areas of nursery practice, all assessed above the expected standard, and a report that reflects the care, skill and commitment behind those results.
A huge congratulations to Sam and the entire YMCA Andover team. 💜
