Golders Green’s Kisharon’s Tuffkid Nursery rated ‘Outstanding’ yet again

Kisharon’s Tuffkid Nursery has been acknowledged as outstanding by Ofsted for the third time in a row.

The pre-school in Golders Green run by learning disabilities charity Kisharon for mainstream children and those with special needs has an integrated approach to learning through play. Tuffkid was awarded outstanding following Ofsted inspections in 2011, 2016 and now this year.

Barnet’s early years standard lead Louise Jennings, said: “Well done to the Tuffkid team and children on their successful Ofsted outcome and thank you to them for their hard work!” Nursery head Janice Marriott said: “I am thrilled Tuffkid Nursery has continued to be recognised by Ofsted as outstanding.”

Ofsted inspectors noted that with its excellent education and nurturing, children flourished. “Each child’s uniqueness is highly valued,” the report included: “They arrive with broad smiles, eager for an exciting day of learning.”

Nursery staff won praise for tailoring the environment and activities to ignite the children’s curiosity and to challenge their abilities.

The children’s emotional well-being was commended too, with inspectors singling out the home visits from staff before pupils join. “This helps children to develop strong attachments with staff right from the start,” the report said.

Marriott added: “I pay tribute to my own team who work tirelessly in providing the children with the best experiences possible, to ensure every child reaches their potential.”

The Ofsted report said relationships with parents were exceptional saying that the manager and staff worked tirelessly to involve parents. The nursery’s response to the Covid lockdowns, when play resources were supplied to children and online sessions were run every day, impressed the inspectors too.

The report also said: “Staff successfully employ ideas such as ‘colour monsters’, to help children recognise and name their feelings. They teach children that all feelings are allowed but some actions are not.”

In November last year, Tuffkid became the first nursery in Barnet to win a gold HEYL (Healthy Early Years London) award for promoting good health and well-being.