Posted: 04/12/15
Celebrations as nursery retains Ofsted ‘outstanding’ status
Parents, staff and children are celebrating after a Mansfield nursery retained its ‘outstanding’ status from government education watchdog Ofsted – achieving top marks across-the-board for the second time running.
Children and staff at Butterflies Day Nursery celebrate the ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating.
Butterflies Day Nursery, part of West Nottinghamshire College, has once again been given the highest-possible rating following its latest inspection.
It was judged to be outstanding in all four categories – namely: effectiveness of the leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; personal development, behaviour and welfare; and outcomes for children – in addition to the overall standard of its provision.
In her report, published last week, inspector Jane Millward said: “Children make excellent progress in their learning and development from their starting points, and are exceptionally well-prepared for the next stage in nursery or school.
“Children’s development of literacy and numeracy skills is planned carefully and they demonstrate excellent progress in these areas.”
She praised the “exemplary standards of care” throughout the nursery; with excellent staff training and development contributing to a “safe and stimulating environment.” Partnerships with parents, and support for disabled children and those with special educational needs, were also described as “outstanding”.
The report added: “The Early Years Foundation Stage is delivered exceptionally well. There is a strong focus on developing children’s independence, curiosity about the world around them, and their communication and language skills.”
Enhancing children’s “excellent outdoor learning experience” by making sessions available throughout the day, rather than at the current set times, was the only recommendation to further improve the quality of provision.
The glowing report followed interviews with staff, parents and children; observations of indoor and outdoor activities; checks to ensure the suitability of staff and the qualifications they hold; and reviews of policies and procedures; all conducted during October’s inspection.
Nursery manager Kelly Pickbourne said: “I’m delighted the report recognises the exceptionally high standard of our early years provision and the fantastic progress that children in our care make; from babies and toddlers to pre-schoolers.
“It confirms we provide a safe, structured, learning and play environment that helps children to reach their full potential – enabling them to be happy, secure and confident individuals.
“This is testament to the superb care and commitment of each member of staff – from our nursery nurses to crèche workers and cooks – who all work extremely hard and show great passion in everything they do. They have every single child’s well-being at heart and consistently go above and beyond what is expected of them.
“Maintaining our outstanding status is a wonderful achievement by everybody connected with the nursery and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
The nursery, which employs 18 members of staff, was previously inspected in 2011, when it was also judged to be outstanding in all areas. Based at the college’s Derby Road campus, it cares for almost 50 children – from six-week-old babies to pre-school four-year-olds – and is available to the public 50 weeks per year, from 7.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
The full report is available on Ofsted’s website at www.reports.ofsted.gov.uk
