Joy after Valley nursery is rated as outstanding
NURSERY children and staff are celebrating after a glowing report by inspectors.
The Village Nursery, on Helmshore Road in Haslingden, was rated outstanding in all four key areas, covering leadership and management, teaching quality, children outcomes and personal development, behaviour and welfare.
Inspector Helen Heap praised staff for providing an ‘exceptionally caring and stimulating environment for children’. Youngsters were also praised for their ‘exemplary’ behaviour and for making ‘outstanding progress’.
Nursery manager and director Catherine Gotts said they are ‘very pleased’ with the inspection result after previously being rated ‘good’ in July 2014.
She told the Free Press: “We didn’t think we would get outstanding because there’s always room for improvement.
“We are not really good at blowing our own trumpet but we have a great team of girls here and we are all passionate about our jobs. It’s what we strive to achieve. It’s not just getting outstanding but keeping it now and being consistent in doing what we do every day.”
The 2008-registered nursery, which employs 15 staff, caters for around 50 children up to the age of four.
In her report, the inspector said: “The good health and safety of children are at the heart of the nursery. Consequently, children are healthy, feel safe and secure and are provided with an environment in which they thrive.
“Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who are gifted and talented are provided for particularly well and make excellent progress.
“Children take part in a range of interesting and educational outings. This includes trips to the park, the library, the post office and the local allotment and building site. Children also learn how to lead a healthy lifestyle by eating a range of healthy, home-cooked food, exercising regularly, taking regular rests and drinking fresh water daily.
“Partnerships with parents are exceptional. Staff have worked very hard to include parents in all aspects of their childs care and learning right from the star. Leaders place the highest priority on the professional development of staff. Staff work closely with other settings and agencies involved in children’s care, learning and development.”