The Sheffield College’s Hillsborough Nursery celebrates Ofsted ‘good’ grading

20th April 2023

The Sheffield College’s Hillsborough Nursery has been graded ‘good’ by Ofsted in a newly published report.

The inspection examined four areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, and all were graded ‘good’.

Hillsborough Nursery is based in the grounds of the College’s Hillsborough Campus, Livesey Street. Students, staff and members of the local community use the service.

Ofsted inspectors found that leaders and managers plan an ambitious curriculum to give children the knowledge and experiences they need to succeed in life. 

Staff form positive relationships with all children and have high expectations for them, inspectors found. 

The new report also highlights that some children are so eager to get into the nursery that they often forget to say ‘goodbye’ to their parents when they are dropped off.

Angela Foulkes, Chief Executive and Principal, The Sheffield College, said: “It is fantastic to see how happy and settled children are at Hillsborough Nursery.

“The Ofsted ‘good’ grading is a strong endorsement of our brilliant nursery staff team and the high quality care they provide.”

Other key findings in the report include the following points:

• All staff know what they want children to learn. 
• Staff plan a progression of skills to build on what children know and can do as they move through the nursery. 
• Children become questioning and confident individuals.
• Children develop good language and communication skills, and display high levels of curiosity, concentration and enjoyment. 
• Children show a positive attitude to their learning; they also show resilience and a can-do attitude and have respect for each other.
• Parents are extremely happy with the care that their children receive. They
  report that staff are very friendly and approachable.
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective. The setting is safe and secure.
• Staff have a strong understanding of how to keep children safe.

Abbey Hayes, Nursery Manager, The Sheffield College Nursery Service, added: “We are absolutely thrilled with this inspection result. 

“Our main priority is to ensure that the children in our care feel happy and safe. We are so pleased that has been recognised.”

The 40-place nursery is open 50 weeks a year and provides full-time and part-time places for children aged 6 months old to 5 years old. 

Ofsted’s report was published on April 12th, 2023, following an inspection on March 9th, 2023.  To read the report, please visit Ofsted’s website: https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50213757

The College also runs City Nursery, at City Campus, Granville Road, which is Ofsted graded ‘good’. Visit www.sheffcol.ac.uk to find out more.