Elan Day Nursery and Elan Preschool celebrate Strong standard across all areas

Following separate Ofsted inspections in July and August 2026, both Elan Day Nursery and Elan Preschool have achieved Strong standard across all areas: Achievement, Behaviour, Attitudes and establishing routines, Children’s welfare and wellbeing, Curriculum and teaching, Inclusion, and Leadership and governance, with safeguarding standards met.

The achievement reflects the dedication of both teams, and the positive experiences children have every day, from developing independence and communication skills to building friendships, exploring their interests and preparing for their next steps.

A strong start, with plenty of opportunities to grow

From first friendships and early milestones to developing the confidence needed for school, children at Elan Day Nursery and Elan Preschool benefit from a seamless learning journey that supports their development every step of the way.

Located close to one another in Haywards Heath, the two settings provide high-quality early years education and childcare for children from infancy through to preschool age. Across both settings, Ofsted recognised the strong relationships children build with their educators, the quality of learning opportunities available to them and the thoughtful approach taken to helping every child make progress.

Building confidence from the very beginning

At Elan Day Nursery, inspectors found that children “perform well from their starting points” and highlighted the way staff encourage children to become increasingly independent as they move through the nursery.

Everyday experiences, from mealtimes and daily routines to outdoor play and exploration n, are used as opportunities to build confidence, resilience and new skills.

The nursery’s ambitious curriculum places a strong focus on social and emotional development, language and communication, and physical development. Children are encouraged to be curious and persistent, while activities naturally weave mathematics, literacy books, literacy and language into their day in meaningful and engaging ways.

Learning that builds confidence and curiosity

At Elan Preschool, this strong foundation continues as children become increasingly confident in their learning and development. Ofsted found that “all children, including those who may face barriers to learning, make excellent progress”, with staff carefully tailoring experiences to each child’s interests, needs and stage of development.

Children are encouraged to take pride in what they achieve, whether that is helping to serve food, writing a letter to the postman, growing plants from seed or working together on shared projects. These experiences help children develop independence, responsibility and a sense of achievement.

Learning extends beyond the preschool environment. Through storytelling, outdoor exploration and community outings, children are encouraged to make connections between what they learn and the world around them. These carefully planned experiences help children develop the social, emotional and practical skills they need to approach school with confidence and curiosity.

The inspection also highlighted how effectively staff enable children to communication and participate. Visual cues, photo cards, Makaton and a range of language resources help children express themselves and understand what is happening around them, creating an environment where every child feels included and able to engage fully.

Every child’s progress matters

Inclusion is a clear strength across both settings. At Elan Day Nursery, staff work closely with families, professionals and local services to understand each child’s starting point and provide tailored opportunities for success.

Sensory spaces and cosy areas, home learning opportunities and carefully adapted resources help children feel secured, valued and ready to engage with the world around them. This personalised approach ensures that every child is given the opportunity to thrive.

The commitment to inclusion continues at Elan Preschool, where inspectors praised the “early identification and support” available for children who may need additional help. Staff use their detailed knowledge of each child to set personal targets, adapt learning experiences and work collaboratively with families and professionals to achieve the best possible outcomes.

For children learning English as an additional language, the preschool uses translated resources, language buttons and other communication tools to help children feel included and understood. Families are also welcomed as active partners in their child’s learning through social events, shared activities and opportunities to contribute to the preschool community.

A team committed to making a difference

Behind these positive outcomes are teams who continually reflect on and develop their practice to provide the best possible experiences for children.

At Elan Day Nursery, Ofsted recognised inspirational leadership as well as a strong focus on staff well-being, training and professional development. This investment helps ensure educators have the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to deliver high-quality learning and care.

At Elan Preschool, inspectors similarly praised leaders for their ongoing commitment to providing an inclusive, high-quality environment and for ensuring that training and professional development continue to evolve in response to children’s changing needs.

This shared commitment is reflected in the experiences of children and families. At both settings, inspectors found children to be happy, confident and engaged, with strong foundations for their next steps.

A message from the nursery teams

For Georgia Ackland-Hancock, Nursery Manager at Elan Day Nursery, the Strong standard reflects the dedication of the whole team.

“I am incredibly proud of our team and the strong outcome achieved following our recent Ofsted inspection. Being recognised as Strong in all areas is a fantastic reflection of the dedication, passion and hard work our staff bring to the nursery every day. Our priority is to provide children with a safe and nurturing environment where they feel valued, supported and able to thrive. This outcome is a wonderful acknowledgement of our team’s commitment, our strong relationships with families and, most importantly, the experiences we provide for our children.”

At Elan Preschool, Manager, Hannah Drake also celebrated the recognition and the relationships at the heart of the setting:

“Achieving Strong in all areas is a wonderful celebration of the nurturing relationships at the heart of our nursery. Our team works closely with children and families to ensure every child feels supported, confident and ready to thrive. We are proud that the inspection recognised the care, learning opportunities and sense of belonging that make our nursery such a special place.”

Celebrating the Elan experience

From those first steps towards independence at Elan Day Nursery to confidently exploring the world at Elan Preschool, the two settings share a commitment to giving children the best possible start.

The Strong standard across all areas recognises the quality of the education, care and inclusion children experience, as well as the dedication of the teams behind it. Most importantly, it reflects an environment where children are encouraged to be themselves, build confidence, develop a love of learning and feel that they belong.

With strong relationships, ambitious learning and a focus on every child’s individual journey, Elan Day Nursery and Elan Preschool are continuing to create positive foundations for the years ahead.

Discover Elan Day Nursery and Elan Preschool

Find out more about Elan Day Nursery and Elan Preschool, their educational programmes and the experiences they offer children and families.

Want to read more?

You can find the full Ofsted reports here:

Elan Day Nursery Ofsted report

Elan Preschool Ofsted report