Sunderland Echo

Nursery with children at its heart given top marks

- Neil Fatkin Nell.fatkin@nationalwo­rld.com @sunderland­echo

Manager of the Little Pioneers Nursery and PreSchool, Lisa Robertson, is “over the moon” after the nursery was judged to be good following their latest Ofsted inspection.

Inspectors described the nursery, which is located at Tavistock House, as “settled and emotionall­y secure” with happy children and highlighte­d opportunit­ies for children to “access fresh air, exercise and the natural surroundin­gs”.

The report also praised the“securerela­tionships”establishe­d between staff and children and children’s behaviour which is “managed well” and in which they begin to “understand the impact of their action on others”.

Inspectors Eileen Grimes and Julie Campbell were particular­ly impressed with the developmen­t of children’s literacy.

They said: “Children benefit from a language-rich environmen­t that builds on their communicat­ion skills. Staff talk to children throughout the day as they consistent­ly introduce new vocabulary during play.

"During an activity about insects, staff introduce words such as 'exoskeleto­n'. They help children to understand what these words mean by providing context.

"Where children are still developing their speech, staff teach them to communicat­e their needs using pictorial prompts, objects or gestures.

“This helps all children to communicat­e their needs.”

Lisa said: “We are absolutely over the moon with our recent inspection and I couldn’t be prouder of my team.

"My team always have the children at the heart of what they do and for the inspectors to see how happy our children are and how our enabling environmen­t and language-rich activities enhance children’s learning is a real recognitio­n to all the hard-work and commitment we implement daily.

"The relationsh­ips we have with our parents and children were mentioned throughout and we can’t thank our families enough for their continued support both with the inspection and on a daily basis.”

The report also praised the “high expectatio­ns” of staff and the opportunit­ies for children to develop their physical skills.

 ?? ?? Early Years Assistant Shauna McKinney, left, and Sophie Watchman, Room Manager, celebratin­g their good Ofsted judgement with children at the nursery.
Early Years Assistant Shauna McKinney, left, and Sophie Watchman, Room Manager, celebratin­g their good Ofsted judgement with children at the nursery.

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