Dear James,

Thank you for contacting us and for providing Mini Moos Nursery with the opportunity to comment.

We are incredibly proud of the outcome of our June 2026 Ofsted inspection. Achieving “Meets the Expected Standard” across all areas under Ofsted’s revised inspection framework is a significant achievement and reflects the dedication, professionalism and hard work of our entire team.

The introduction of Ofsted’s new report card system has fundamentally changed the inspection landscape. It is important to recognise that “Exceptional” is not a direct replacement for the previous “Outstanding” judgement. It is a newly introduced grade reserved for practice considered to be of the highest national standard, with the potential for other providers to learn from and be influenced by it. Ofsted has been clear that this judgement is intended to be awarded only in the most exceptional circumstances and should not be viewed as a like-for-like comparison with previous inspection outcomes.

Given this context, we are particularly proud that Ofsted found Mini Moos to be meeting the expected standard across every area of inspection during a period in which we tripled in size, doubled our workforce and continued to support an increasing number of children and families.

Since September 2025, Mini Moos has undergone significant expansion to meet increasing demand from local families. The new framework places considerable emphasis on demonstrating that strong practice is consistently embedded throughout a provision. Given this period of substantial growth and change, we are particularly proud that Ofsted recognised the quality of care, education, inclusion, leadership and safeguarding provided across our expanded setting.

It is also important to clarify that Mini Moos Nursery was graded “Outstanding” at its previous inspection in 2024, rather than “Exceptional”. Ofsted has since introduced a new inspection model, meaning outcomes are not directly comparable.

Mini Moos has always taken its safeguarding and reporting responsibilities extremely seriously and has consistently reported all notifiable incidents to Ofsted in line with statutory requirements. We believe transparency and accountability are fundamental to maintaining the trust placed in us by our families.

The incident involving a child leaving the premises occurred during the first few weeks of operating from our expanded site and during the child’s first week of attendance. During a handover period, the child was able to operate the existing door mechanism and exit the building to their parent. The incident was immediately reported and investigated. Following this, we introduced a higher-level magnetic security lock system, similar to those used within healthcare settings, which is inaccessible to children.

The incident relating to unauthorised access occurred when exceptionally wet weather caused the external door to swell and prevented the magnetic lock from engaging correctly. This allowed two elderly members of the public, who mistakenly believed the café previously operated from the building remained open, to enter the premises. As this was our first winter operating from the expanded site, it highlighted an unforeseen issue with the building which has since been addressed.

Both incidents were taken extremely seriously and resulted in further enhancements to our safeguarding procedures and physical security measures. Following these events, Ofsted’s regulatory team visited the setting and were satisfied with the actions taken and measures implemented. They congratulated the nursery on its honesty and transparency throughout the process and raised no further advisories.

At Mini Moos, we have always been a reflective organisation and view every incident as an opportunity to review and strengthen our practice, procedures and environment. Whilst we recognise there is always more work to do, as there is in any reflective organisation, we are proud that Ofsted found Mini Moos to be meeting the expected standard in every area inspected during a period of significant growth and change.

We would also encourage readers to consider the many positive findings within the report itself. Ofsted found that safeguarding standards are met and that Mini Moos has established “an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility” and that, as a result, “children are made safer and feel safe”.

Inspectors noted that “children are happy, settled and emotionally secure within this welcoming nursery” and that they “benefit from positive relationships that help them feel safe, develop a sense of belonging and build confidence”. They also recognised that “children are curious and motivated learners” and that “overall, children develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for the next stage in their learning”.

The report further recognises that our leaders are “dedicated to their roles”, “want the best for the children and families who attend the nursery” and are “reflective and regularly look for ways to improve the service they provide”. Parents described leaders as “approachable, visible and supportive”.

Whilst we are naturally proud of our previous Outstanding judgement, we are equally proud that, during a period in which we tripled in size, doubled our workforce and navigated significant organisational change, Ofsted found that children at Mini Moos remain happy, safe, emotionally secure and receiving the care and education they deserve.

The safety, wellbeing and development of the children in our care remain our highest priorities. We are immensely proud of our dedicated staff team and grateful for the continued trust and support shown by our families and the wider community. We remain committed to ensuring that the strong practice seen throughout the setting continues to become increasingly embedded as our provision grows and evolves.

Please advise when this article will be published. 

Kind regards,

Bianca & Dominique Delord