Seymour House Achieves a Full Set of Outstanding Ofsted Ratings Before New Inspection Framework

As Ofsted begins carrying out inspections under its new framework for early years education, Seymour House is celebrating a remarkable milestone. Every one of its nurseries that has been inspected to date has achieved the highest possible rating of Outstanding.

Across Seymour House, this success reflects years of dedication, consistency, and a deep-rooted commitment to providing exceptional care and education. From the first nursery to the most recent inspections carried out over the summer months at Lawn Lane, Broomfield Road, Springfield Road, Basildon Hospital, and Brinkley Lane, all have been recognised for creating inspiring environments where children flourish.

Seymour House was among the final early years providers in the country to be inspected under the original Ofsted framework, and every inspected nursery has been graded Outstanding in all areas. This recognition also extends to the Seymour House Apprenticeship Academy, where Ofsted praised the quality of education, leadership and personal development of aspiring early years educators.

Ofsted inspectors consistently praised Seymour House nurseries for their nurturing environments, expert teaching, and ambitious curriculum that encourages curiosity and independence. Reports highlighted that:

• “Children thrive in vibrant learning environments that spark curiosity and engage their interest.”
• “Children arrive with smiles and enthusiasm, settling quickly and enjoying exciting activities.”
• “Educators are deeply knowledgeable, nurturing and inspire children to explore, think and imagine.”
• “Leaders are ambitious in their vision for children’s learning and ensure every child, including those with additional needs, makes exceptional progress.”
• “There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that always puts children first.”

Amanda Fee, Head of Operations, said:
“To see all our inspected nurseries achieve Outstanding is something we are incredibly proud of. It reflects the passion, care and expertise that our teams bring to every single day. Most importantly, it celebrates the joy of learning that shines through every Seymour House nursery.”

Caroline Clark, Head of Operations, added:
“Our teams work with such dedication to provide the very best experiences for children and families. This achievement shows what can be accomplished when everyone shares the same vision for excellence in early years education.”

Emma Price, Head of Apprenticeships, said:
“We’re absolutely thrilled that our Apprenticeship Academy and nurseries inspected have all achieved Outstanding. Our apprentices work incredibly hard and are truly passionate about giving children the best start in life. These results reflect the dedication of everyone across Seymour House, from our wonderful nursery teams to our inspiring tutors and assessors.”

Readers can explore the full Ofsted reports by visiting the Ofsted website here: Find an Ofsted inspection report

Seymour House looks forward to this next chapter and will continue to nurture confidence, inspire curiosity and create joyful experiences for every child at Seymour House nurseries.

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For further information, please contact:
Sarah Wightwick
sarah.wightwick@seymourhouse.co.uk

About Seymour House:

For over 35 magical years, Seymour House has provided a beyond brilliant nursery experience for families. We nurture children’s imagination and nourish their body and mind to help unlock their limitless potential.

Our unique early years approach draws on our expertise, creativity, and forward thinking to deliver the best outcomes for children across our 10 Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ settings in Essex and Hertfordshire.
We have over 300 passionate and inspiring Apprentices, qualified Early Years Educators, dual nursery leadership from Heads of Early Years and Nursery Managers and a wonderful support team. Our team is our superpower!