Lincoln’s Glebe Farm Nursery School rated ‘strong’ in every area by Ofsted

The Canwick nursery, part of the Storal group, was praised for the excellent progress its children make and for a curriculum built around forest school, cookery and the outdoors.

Glebe Farm Nursery School, a 121-place setting in a farmhouse on Heighington Road in Canwick, just outside Lincoln, has been rated ‘Strong standard’ across every area of its provision by Ofsted.

The inspection was carried out on 10 June 2026 under Ofsted’s new framework, which came into effect on 10 November 2025 and judges settings across five areas using a five-point scale. ‘Strong standard’ is awarded where leaders are working above the standard expected of them.

Glebe Farm received it for achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children’s welfare and wellbeing; curriculum and teaching; and inclusion, alongside leadership and governance, with safeguarding standards confirmed as met.

Inspectors found that children’s communication and language skills “flourish through highly effective interactions with staff and their peers”, describing older children as “remarkably articulate”. Children were said to be “high achievers who show curiosity and a deep desire to learn”, with their ability to focus and persevere preparing them “extremely well for future success”.

Inspectors highlighted the forest school sessions and cookery classes that give children “a wide variety of exciting learning opportunities”, delivered through a curriculum described as inclusive, well sequenced and ambitious. Babies were observed snuggled on staff knees lifting the flaps of interactive books, older children read independently in the book shed outdoors, and pre-school children acted out stories during yoga sessions.

Leaders were praised for creating an inclusive culture “where every child is known, valued and supported”, with settling-in sessions extended and tailored to individual families so that the right support is in place before a child starts. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities were found to benefit from precise and responsive support.

Laura Cross, nursery manager at Glebe Farm Nursery School, said: “To have an inspector spend a day with us and then write about our nursery in these terms is a wonderful feeling for the whole team. 

“What I love most is how much of the report is about the little things. A cuddle at the right moment, a child remembering a word from a story, a four-year-old carrying their own plate to the table. Those are the moments we work at every day, and I am so proud of the team for the care they put into them. Thank you to our families for trusting us with their children.”

"I am so pleased for Laura and everyone at Glebe Farm. When you walk into that nursery, the first thing you notice is how settled the children are, and children only settle like that when the adults around them are happy and well supported. 

"Families in Canwick and the villages around already knew what they had. This report simply puts it in writing, and what it says is that a small village nursery is doing remarkable work. I could not be prouder of the team."

Joshua H, father of a child at the nursery said: "Glebe Farm is an exceptional nursery and pre-school. The staff are so friendly and caring. They go above and beyond to ensure that your children are happy, safe and enjoying their time. The nursery provide excellent meals that cater to all dietary requirements. I would wholeheartedly recommend Glebe Farm to anyone looking for children, both our children absolutely love it."

For more information about Glebe Farm Nursery School, please visit https://www.storal.com/nursery-school/glebe-farm-nursery-canwick