Sheffield Green Councillors were relieved and delighted by the council’s decision to continue funding Middlewood Nature Nursery following a highly effective campaign by parents and supporters of the nursery and intervention by Hillsborough Ward Councillor and Deputy Chair of the Education Committee Toby Mallinson.
The future of the Nursery was in doubt following a disputed “Inadequate” rating by OFSTED in January. Sheffield City Council policy on funding for nurseries meant that there was uncertainty over whether Middlewood Nature Nursery would be financially viable going forward.
Concerned parents, who disputed OFSTED’s judgement, approached Hillsborough Ward Councillors who backed them, and intervened with the Council on their behalf to support their campaign.
The Funded Early Learning, provided for 2, 3 and 4 year olds, will now continue and Middlewood will be supported by Council Officers, through an action plan to address the points made by OFSTED. This should mean that when the Nursery is reinspected in July by OFSTED, their concerns will have been addressed.
Hillsborough Ward Councillor Toby Mallinson said,
“I am overjoyed at the decision by the Council to maintain funding and to offer the needed support to Middlewood Nature Nursery. It is a very valuable asset to educational provision in Sheffield as demonstrated by the overwhelming parental support and the effective campaign they have run.
“The nursery is one of the few Sheffield settings that follow a Forest School ethos which fosters a love for nature, enhances children’s confidence and independence, and promotes healthy development. We need more of these and need to grow those we have.
“The whole Ofsted process has been a great shock to the nursery community, many of whom do not recognise much of the criticism in the disputed report. It is not the first time that concerns have been raised about consistency and fairness of Ofsted, particularly when inspecting settings that are not the norm. Let us hope that the nursery will now be able to move forward positively. I have been working hard to support the parents by liaising with council education officers for this outcome, and they have the full support of all three Hillsborough Ward Councillors.”
