A nursery school in Slough which has held on to its 'outstanding' rating since 2010 may have slipped from its high standards.

Slough Centre Nursery School was visited by Ofsted inspectors on March 26 for a routine ungraded inspection.

Under current regulations, schools that have been rated 'outstanding' are visited by Ofsted every four years to check they are still meeting the same standard.

If inspectors find evidence that the school would now receive a higher or lower grade, they will ensure the next inspection is graded. This will take place within the next one to two years.

At the time of inspection, Slough Centre Nursery School had 117 pupils on role aged between two and four.

In the opening of Ofsted's post-inspection report, it states: "There has been no change to this school’s overall judgement of outstanding as a result of this ungraded inspection.

"However, the evidence gathered suggests that the inspection grade might not be as high if a graded (section 5) inspection were carried out now."

Despite this, the report recognises the nursery for providing children with a "wonderful start", particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

"The inviting school environment nurtures and shapes children’s character," the report adds.

"Parents report they cannot believe the difference the school makes and hold the staff team in high regard."

Ofsted felt the school had responded "proactively" to the impact of the pandemic.

Children behave "impeccably" due to a clear understanding of rules and adults are "excellent role models" for the pupils.

Adults are highly ambitious and make clear to parents the value of an early years education.

The inspectors noted: "Children’s behaviour reflects that they feel safe and at ease with the adults who care for them.

"Children beam with happiness. They are engrossed in their learning and play."

Prime areas of learning are prioritised by staff who are "highly knowledgeable" in child development.

The report adds: "The school’s curriculum is ambitious and fully meets the expectations of the early years foundation stage."

Despite this, "planning does not precisely identify what essential knowledge children need to grasp along the way".

"There is not a clear and logical sequence to how this knowledge builds step by step. This means that staff can be unsure of the core purpose behind some activities set up for children inside and outside the classroom."

Ofsted has given the following feedback to the nursery for improvement: "The school should review its curriculum so that knowledge builds cumulatively towards agreed end points to best support children in starting primary school." 

Commenting on the report, Aisha Lateef, Headteacher, Slough Centre Nursery, said: “I would like to thank the children, the parents and the staff that make Slough Centre Nursery the happy, exciting, and adventurous place that it is. 

"Our parents speak highly of the school and would recommend our nursery to others."

A Slough Borough Council spokesperson added: “We are extremely proud of the work done at Slough Centre Nursery School, its dedicated staff and the children who attend, and this is reflected in the recent Ofsted report.”