Children make 'consistent progress' at Leeds nursery after Ofsted turnaround
A Leeds nursery has completed an Ofsted ratings turnaround.
Phoenix Day Nursery, located on Abdul Rahman Business Centre, Hudson Road, received an ‘Expected standard’ in all six categories during an Ofsted visit in December 2025.
Under the new system, one-word grades have been replaced with a colour-coded “traffic light” report card, split into six categories: achievement, behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, children's welfare and well-being, and leadership and governance.
It completes an impressive turnaround for the site which was previously downgraded to ‘inadequate’ last year.
Ofsted inspectors said: “Children make consistent progress from their starting points in relation to their individual learning needs, particularly in the prime areas of learning. Children become very confident communicators even when they do not yet use spoken language well.
“Staff recognise the importance of supporting children's personal, social and emotional development. They create a happy, vibrant environment, where children are motivated to engage.”
Staff help children to learn about their own health and safety, and to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, the report said. Children love to play football and ride bikes outdoors. They learn to use the red and green stop and go signs as they play.
According to the report, staff are “vigilant in tracking children's development,” particularly in the prime areas of learning. This means that they quickly identify when children need extra help to keep up with their peers.
Information is successfully shared with the staff team so that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive the necessary support on a daily basis. Leaders enlist the support of external agencies when necessary and “welcome their guidance.”
Inspectors added: “Leaders have devised a curriculum with children's individual needs at the forefront of their planning. This includes those who speak English as an additional language, and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
“Conversation is a large part of the nursery day. Staff support children's language as they play together. For example, they patiently help children to practise saying the sounds they need to say 'elf' and 'reindeer' as they play with dough.”
Leaders at Phoenix Day are said to have a “clear intention to provide the best childcare they can,” this includes focusing on staff's emotional wellbeing so that they are happy and motivated to support this endeavour.
Parents are “grateful” for the support their children receive for their individual needs, the report added.