Jeanne Saunders Centre SEND nursery receives rare 'Exceptional' Ofsted rating
The Jeanne Saunders Centre, a specialist nursery in Hove for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), has been rated 'Exceptional’ by Ofsted in all 6 areas.
The council-run nursery provides intensive early learning and assessment to children with a range of complex needs including severe language delay and autistic spectrum conditions. The centre also offers support to parents, carers and families.
According to government guidance: "Exceptional" is the highest and rarest grade in Ofsted's updated report card system, awarded only when a school or provider shows practice that ranks among the very best nationally.
The Jeanne Saunders Centre is one of only a handful of settings across the country given this grade across all 6 areas.
What the nursery is doing well
The Ofsted report highlights the fantastic service the Jeanne Saunders Centre provides to children and families and the dedication of the nursery's leadership and staff, noting:
"Children flourish and thrive at this extraordinary specialist centre. Staff expertly cater for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and who face significant barriers to their learning and wellbeing.
“The leaders approach to inclusion is transformational. It is at the heart of everything they do, underpinning the curriculum, bespoke teaching, as well as how they work to build inspiring relationships with children and their families.
"Children's days begin by receiving warm, bespoke welcomes from staff whose knowledge of the children is exceptionally comprehensive. Staff tailor their approach to each individual child, knowing exactly what they need from the moment they arrive.
"Parents and carers are incredibly well supported and build their own social communities within the centre. They know their children are happy, safe, and cared for by staff who are immensely passionate to help their children in every way.
"Children's access to the curriculum and learning is completely bespoke, with individual 'just right profiles' to ensure they are consistently supported and challenged, to build on their existing skills. As a result, children make their own rapid and unique progress, reaching developmental milestones others thought were not obtainable.
"Children are highly respected and given limitless opportunities to succeed both now and in their future.
"Staffs' exceptional knowledge of every child enables them to engage children in a way that is highly motivating and supports their growing ability to maintain attention and focus. Children are incredibly well supported to develop resilience, particularly when something challenges them."
Amazing achievement
Councillor Emma Daniel, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Youth Services, said: “This is an amazing achievement and reflects the dedication, care and commitment of the nursery's leadership and staff and the warm, encouraging environment they've created.
"The Ofsted inspection's findings highlight the importance of bespoke, personalised learning for children with SEND and the value that positive and trusting relationships with staff have on children's progress and development.
“In 2024 the Jeanne Saunders Centre relocated from its former site to a new, more accessible space to better meet the needs of the children it supports. I’m so pleased that the nursery has continued to flourish following this move."
Going above and beyond
Anne Rhodda, headteacher at the Jeanne Saunders Centre, said: “I am delighted with the results of our latest Ofsted inspection.
"This achievement is a wonderful reflection of the dedication, learning and commitment that exists across our entire centre community of children, staff and families.
"We have an amazing team who go above and beyond to ensure that every child matters and every day counts."