Ofsted Inspection 2026
Castle Lane Day Nursery inspected by Ofsted in 2026
Castle Lane Day Nursery in Market Harborough, Leicestershire has been graded ‘Strong standard’ in two areas and ‘Expected standard’ in four areas in an assessment on 3 March 2026 by Ofsted, The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills.
What is Ofsted?
Ofsted is The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills.
Ofsted is a non-ministerial department of the UK government and it reports to Parliament.
Its main function is to inspect services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. It also inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.
Castle Lane Day Nursery (ref EY372240) has been registered with Ofsted since 25 April 2008.
Find out more about the new Ofsted grading system: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-ofsted-report-cards-and-grades
What do the Ofsted grades mean?
Ofsted explains its grades as follows:
Exceptional
Practice is exceptional: of the highest standard nationally. Other settings can learn from it.
Strong standard
The setting reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them.
Expected standard
The setting is fulfilling the expected standard of education and/or care. This means they are following the standard set out in statutory and non‑statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them.
Needs attention
The expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements.
Urgent improvement
The setting needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care.
How well did Castle Lane perform in its 2026 Ofsted inspection?
Castle Lane was graded ‘Strong standard’ in two areas and ‘Expected standard’ in four areas in its most recent assessment.
It was graded ‘Strong standard’ for:
• Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines
• Children’s welfare and wellbeing
It was graded ‘Expected standard’ for:
• Achievement
• Curriculum and teaching
• Inclusion
• Leadership and governance
The report also noted the following:
• Safeguarding standards are met
• This setting has met the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register
• This setting has met the requirements of the voluntary part of Childcare Register
Next steps were indentified as:
• Leaders should support staff to enhance interactions even further to extend and add to children’s communication and language skills consistently across the setting
• Leaders should target the programme of professional development to sharply focus on enriching children’s communication and language skills
Castle Lane’s response to the latest Ofsted inspection
Owner and Manager Harriet Gray said “We are over the moon to be able to share with you our most recent Ofsted report from our inspection in March 2026. We are thrilled to say that we received a “strong standard” in 2 areas and “expected” in 4 areas.
“This is an exceptional achievement for the team and very difficult to achieve under the new Inspection Framework. We feel the report really captures what is so amazing about our nursery and After School Club.
“The report highlights the fabulous work of all our hard-working team who show passion, dedication and love to all our children and their families. All staff are the real beating heart of Castle Lane, to them we are truly grateful.”
The report summarizes all our fantastic work but a few of our favourite quotes include:
“Children have a great deal of fun and thrive at this welcoming, inclusive and nurturing setting. Staff interactions are focused consistently on children’s positive wellbeing and emotional development. Children and babies are supported continuously by caring staff who are responsive to their needs and interests.”
“Staff value each child as a unique individual. They have a sound understanding of any barriers to children’s learning and wellbeing, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff get to know children and their families in depth and establish starting points for their learning. They identify any emerging needs promptly to help secure effective support.”
“Leaders are committed to ensuring that staff wellbeing is nurtured. They communicate a shared vision of how to meet children’s individual care and learning needs to staff and parents.”
“Children enjoy nutritious, home-made meals in a calm, secure atmosphere. Mealtimes are sociable occasions. Staff closely supervise babies to feed themselves. They ensure that food is served safely for babies’ stages of weaning. Toddlers and young children show high levels of independence when they clear away plates and wash their hands and faces, checking in the mirror that they have done a good job.”
Harriet concluded “Thank you so much to all our parents and carers for your ongoing support. We are so proud to support children and their families and be part of your lives. We will continue to provide high quality childcare allowing children to thrive, grow and be ready for the next stage of their learning. Reflecting, as always as how to improve and use this advice to develop.”
Where can I read the full Ofsted report about Castle Lane?
You can read the current report on the findings of the Ofsted inspection of Castle Lane Day Nursery online which details all the findings alongside previous assessments carried out in 2008, 2013, 2016 and 2020.
A pdf copy of the Ofsted report is also available.