Friends Forest Nursery ‑ Ash

Friends Private Day Nursery - Ash was inspected on 29 September 2023 under the legacy EYFS framework (Quality of Education, Behaviour & Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership & Management), achieving Outstanding across all areas. This report has been mapped to the November 2025 framework with seven evaluation areas. The nursery demonstrates exceptional practice across all domains: a highly ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum, exemplary child behaviour and attitudes, outstanding personal development opportunities, and excellent leadership. Safeguarding arrangements are effective with robust systems and staff understanding. The setting maintains sustained excellence with strong parent partnerships, specialist support for children with additional needs, and a commitment to staff development. As an Outstanding nursery, investment recommendations focus on maintaining and enhancing exceptional practice (Priority 3) while exploring opportunities to reach Exceptional grades in targeted areas.