27 May 2026
A St Albans nursery is celebrating after being praised for providing a thriving atmosphere for children in its latest Ofsted report.
Old London Road Pre-School was one of the first early years settings to be inspected under the brand-new inspection framework back in February, having previously been inspected in March 2020 when it was deemed to be ‘Outstanding’ in all areas.
The new Ofsted framework introduces various separate inspection categories, creating a major change for providers, parents and inspectors alike as everyone adapts to the updated system. The categories look in greater depth at areas including inclusion, behaviour, safeguarding, leadership and the overall experiences children receive within the setting.
The pre-school was graded Strong Standard in the following categories: behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children’s welfare and wellbeing; and inclusion. It was graded Expected Standard for achievement, curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance.
Highlights from the report included the following comments by inspector Katrina Rodden: “Children thrive in the pre-school. All children have access to a wide curriculum that reflects their interests and stage of development…
“Children are proud of their achievements, helping to strengthen their self-esteem and confidence. Given their starting points, all children make clear progress in their learning. Staff adapt their communication methods, environment and resources to help give children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) the support they need to feel safe and motivated to play and learn…
“Leaders ensure parents and carers feel welcome and valued. They recognise family support as an integral aspect to children’s readiness to learn and swiftly build positive relationships with parents… They consider all areas of children’s learning, threading these through the outcomes they want children to achieve…
“Staff embrace the ethos that children should have the support and opportunities to become happy learners, confident communicators and can independently carry out appropriate self-care skills, such as using the toilet, before they leave for school…
“Parents describe the excellent communication and support they receive from staff and leaders. They feel valued and very much part of a supportive, caring ‘family’…
“Staff form strong, trusting relationships with children. They respond to children’s changing moods and help children manage to regulate their feelings and behaviours towards others. Children mirror the positive attitudes that staff model. This helps to encourage them to be kind, listen to others and work together…”
Pre-school leader Janet Charles said: “I’m so pleased with this strong and positive OFSTED report, which has given the Old London Road pre-school a very good grading in this new system. It’s an excellent reflection of the happy, supportive positive pre-school environment we have created here.
“Many of the staff team have been here over 15 years; and their long-standing commitment, knowledge and experience has been acknowledged by this report. Every individual person works really hard. It’s the whole team’s effort that makes OLR pre-school the happy and inclusive place it is for all the children and families that spend time with us.
“The inspection saw that my team build highly positive relationships with all the children, support their emerging needs – and create a supportive, caring ‘family’ environment for both children and parents.
“If it wasn’t half-term holiday this week, the staff team would all be having a huge, happy group hug right now!”
Despite the inspector being delayed in traffic on the morning of the visit and missing the opportunity to speak with parents at drop-off time, families were determined to share their experiences afterwards, with almost all parents emailing in glowing feedback.
Parents praised the pre-school for going “above and beyond” to provide a fully inclusive environment where children thrive, feel valued and are encouraged to flourish as individuals.
Now in its 27th year, Old London Road Pre-School continues to hold a special place in the local community, with former pupils now returning years later with children of their own.
