Preston Multicultural Nursery School: First Steps to Learning

Communication, belonging and independence formed the clearest thread through this Wembley setting's June 2023 inspection. Ofsted judged it Good across education, behaviour, personal development and leadership, with effective safeguarding. The nursery has 36 places for children aged six months to five years at 114 Carlton Avenue East, Wembley, HA9 8NB.

The inspection found children happy and ready to learn. Staff used songs, rhymes, story recall and questions to build language, while home languages sat alongside English. That combination matters for children learning to express themselves and for families who want their culture recognised in everyday practice.

In June 2023, toddlers played with baby dolls after several children welcomed new siblings. Younger children explored sand and creative mark-making; older children discussed their drawings and colour knowledge confidently. These were responsive choices rooted in children's lives rather than disconnected activities.

The nursery works within the Early Years Foundation Stage. In plain terms, this means play and adult-guided experiences cover communication, physical development, personal and social growth, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts. The inspection evidence shows the strongest emphasis here was communication: children recalled stories, answered questions and joined songs and rhymes.

Outdoor play brought climbing, wheeled toys and controlled risk-taking. Children worked on balance and coordination, although Ofsted asked the nursery to widen the challenging physical experiences available to younger children. That is a specific development point for families of babies and toddlers to weigh. It also gives a visit a clear practical emphasis: ask to see how challenge is adapted for the youngest children.

Gentle staff reassured children who were new or unsure when separating from parents in June 2023. Staff modelled sharing, turn-taking and manners, while children developed independence by feeding and serving themselves at meals. Discussion about fruit linked those routines to healthy choices.

The June 2023 inspection found safeguarding effective: staff understood child protection and wider safeguarding, risk assessment was thorough, safer recruitment procedures were followed, and children learned about safety. Children with special educational needs or disabilities and those with identified delays received priority support, with key people communicating regularly with parents.

Teamwork was another strength. Staff reflected on practice in meetings and received supervision supporting their wellbeing. A second improvement point was to broaden training so staff knowledge and teaching could develop further.

The setting is on Carlton Avenue East in Wembley and is recorded as open all year, closing on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas. Its weekday operation supports both full-day and half-day attendance. Families need a current nursery quotation for prices.

Full days and half days give families two different attendance shapes. The precise timetable and any minimum booking pattern should form part of the joining conversation, alongside funded-entitlement arrangements.

• Physical challenge for younger children. Ofsted asked for a wider range of challenging physical experiences for younger children in 2023. Families of babies and toddlers should discuss what has changed since then.
• Attendance and costs. Ask for the current session menu and written quotation, including how funded hours and any additional charges are treated. This establishes the real weekly commitment.
• Staff development. Wider staff training was an inspection improvement point. Ask how professional development has advanced since June 2023 and how it has changed practice.

Language, cultural belonging and warm support at separation are the strongest evidenced qualities here. The 2023 Good judgement is supported by concrete practice, from story recall and home-language use to thoughtful play based on children's family experiences. The two improvement points are equally clear: younger children's physical challenge and wider staff training.

This nursery best suits families who value communication, inclusive practice and a team attentive to children with additional needs. It can suit families seeking either full-day care or a half-day pattern. The practical details remain a decisive conversation before joining.

For a child who responds to language-rich interaction, the report gives parents useful examples rather than a bare grade. For a younger child who needs vigorous physical challenge, the improvement point deserves equal weight. The setting’s appeal therefore rests on an evidenced warmth and inclusivity, balanced against clear questions about how practice has moved on since the inspection.