Choosing a nursery is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a parent.
You want somewhere your child will feel safe, happy and loved. Somewhere they’ll build confidence, make friends, discover new interests and develop the skills they need for school and life.
So it’s completely understandable that one of the first things many parents look at is the nursery’s Ofsted rating.
At Safari Childcare, we’re proud that both our Hutton and Runwell nurseries have achieved a Good Ofsted rating, giving families independent reassurance about the quality of care and education we provide.
But here’s something we always tell prospective parents…
An Ofsted rating is important, but it shouldn’t be the only reason you choose a nursery.
What Does Ofsted Actually Do?
Ofsted is the organisation responsible for inspecting and regulating early years providers in England. During an inspection, inspectors visit the nursery to see what everyday life is really like for the children.
They’re not just looking at paperwork. They’re looking at children.
- How happy are they?
- Do they feel safe?
- Are they engaged in learning?
- Do practitioners know each child well?
How do staff support children’s development, wellbeing and individual needs?
Inspectors also look at safeguarding, leadership, curriculum planning, staff knowledge and whether the nursery is meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Ultimately, they’re asking one simple question:
“Are children receiving the best possible start in life?”
What Happens During an Inspection?
An inspection is designed to capture what life is normally like within the nursery.
Inspectors spend time observing children as they play, explore and learn. They watch how practitioners interact with them, how children respond to different activities and how well their individual needs are understood.
They’ll also speak with leaders, practitioners, parents and, where appropriate, the children themselves.
Alongside these observations, inspectors review safeguarding arrangements, recruitment procedures, staff qualifications and records. However, inspections are never simply about paperwork. Ofsted wants to see that policies are genuinely lived every day, not just written in a folder.
Click here for further information on Ofsted Inspections.
How Is a Nursery Judged?
Since November 2025, Ofsted has introduced a new report card system.
Rather than awarding one overall grade, nurseries are now assessed across several different areas, with safeguarding judged separately as either “met” or “not met.”
The areas inspected include:
- Safeguarding
- Inclusion
- Curriculum and Teaching
- Achievement
- Behaviour, Attitudes and Routines
- Children’s Welfare and Wellbeing
- Leadership and Governance
Our current Good ratings at Hutton and Runwell were awarded under the previous inspection framework and remain an important reflection of the high standards identified during those inspections.
So… How Important Is an Ofsted Rating?
In our opinion?
Very important… but not everything.
An Ofsted report provides valuable, independent reassurance that a nursery meets national standards. It gives parents confidence that inspectors have assessed the quality of education, safeguarding and care.
But an inspection captures just a snapshot in time.
It can’t tell you what it feels like when your child is welcomed at the door each morning.
It can’t show you the excitement on children’s faces during a Mini Chefs session, the confidence they gain through Leo’s School Readiness Programme or the pride they feel after creating something new.
It doesn’t show the warm relationships between practitioners and children or the little moments that make nursery life so special.
Those are things you only discover when you visit.
Our Advice to Parents
When choosing a nursery, we always recommend:
✔️ Read the full Ofsted report, not just the headline judgement.
✔️ Visit the nursery and trust your instincts.
✔️ Meet the team who will care for your child.
✔️ Ask about the curriculum, daily routines, communication, nutrition and settling-in process.
✔️ Observe how the practitioners interact with the children already attending.
Most importantly…
Ask yourself one question:
“Can I imagine my child being happy here?”
At Safari Childcare, we believe the best nursery combines high standards with genuine warmth, meaningful relationships and exciting learning experiences that children can’t wait to come back to each day.
An Ofsted rating is an important part of the picture.
But the smiles, confidence and happiness of the children tell the story every single day.