JohnA council-run nursery in Osmondthorpe has received a ‘good ‘ report from Ofsted inspectors – despite facing an uncertain future.
Osmondthorpe Little Owls has been rated ‘outstanding ‘good’ for the quality of its education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership – an improvement on its last rating of ‘requires improvement’ last year.
The turnaround in fortunes comes despite the nursery being one of 12 Little Owls centres which could be taken over by other providers or merged as part of a review confirmed last month by cash-strapped Leeds City Council.
The local authority will also pull out of running Little Owls centres at Kentmere in Seacroft, Gipton North and Chapel Allerton in a bid to balance its books amid ‘serious budgetary pressures’..
Ofsted inspectors praise the use of physical play in the curriculum and support for vulnerable youngsters.
“Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), or those on
the pathway to diagnosis, are supported extremely well,” the report states. “The special educational needs coordinator and staff build close and professional relationships with other agencies and parents. Children with SEND show the good progress they make
from their starting points.”
The report says staff are very aware of local needs and challenges in the area and give
children good opportunities that help to widen their experiences.
There’s also praise for the curriculum for mathematics: “Children have the opportunity
to develop their number skills. However, the interaction from staff does not always match the curriculum intent to challenge and enhance children’s learning of patterns,
shape and space as they play. This means that, sometimes, children do not learn
as well as they could.”
The report concludes: “Since the last inspection, leaders and staff have worked hard to improve the practice for children. Parents report that they are happy with the care and
learning afforded to their child.”
Leeds City Council is set to run a “market sounding” exercise over the future of 12 nurseries in Leeds. They are: Shepherds Lane, Meanwood, St Mary’s Hunslet, Hawksworth Wood, City and Holbeck, Parklands, Quarry Mount, Bramley, Hunslet Rylestone, Osmondthorpe, Rothwell, Burley Park. Alternative providers could include schools, charities or private companies.
Childcare at nine of the centres would continue to be directly delivered by the council to ensure sufficient places for vulnerable children. They are: Chapeltown, New Bewerley, Little London, Harehills, Swarcliffe, Seacroft, Middleton Laurel Bank, Two Willows and Armley Moor.
As reported by East Side Story, campaigners have been fighting against both the closures and possible privatisation of some Little Owls Nurseries, (pictured, top).
The full Ofsted report on Osmondthorpe Little Owls can be read here.
