A FRAMPTON Cotterell nursery’s “friendly and nurturing” staff and wide range of activities have been praised by an inspector.
Ofsted visited Partou 100 Acre Wood Day Nursery and Pre-School in Church Road in July.
Inspector Victoria Nicolson said the setting, which has 79 children aged four and under on its roll, is ‘good’ in all areas – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development.
The inspector said: “Staff are friendly and nurturing.
“Children settle quickly and confidently explore the wide range of resources and activities available to them.”
She said the nursery’s curriculum “focuses on helping children learn to have respect for themselves, respect for others and respect for the world around them”.
This includes teaching older children about their environment and community through litter picking and helping to recycle their waste.
The inspector said: “Staff set clear and consistent boundaries to keep children safe and to help them learn to keep themselves safe. Children behave well.”
The nursery’s “high focus” on promoting children’s communication and language skills was highlighted in the report, from reading and teaching words and signs to asking children questions and listening to what they have to say.
The inspector said: “Staff spend time getting to know the children. They make accurate assessments of children’s progress, and this helps them to identify when children need more support with their learning.”
‘Fresh air and exercise’
The report said children benefit from “lots of fresh air and exercise” in a garden area, and staff help them to learn to be independent and confident in their abilities
The inspector said: “Staff engage with children well, playing alongside them using their interests.
“Partnerships with parents are good and well-established.
“Parents praise staff for how they support children’s dietary and medical needs, and they say that their children enjoy attending.”
To improve further Ofsted recommended that the nursery provide more targeted support for staff, provide more challenges for older and more capable children, and develop partnerships with parents by involving them in home learning.
Report reflects ‘hard work’ put in by staff
The setting is run by Partou, the UK’s fifth largest day nursery group.
Nursery Manager Stacey Oliver said: “It is a particularly upbeat report, which reflects so well on the hard work put in by the team.
“We have endeavoured to create a welcoming ‘home from home’ atmosphere, making use of all-natural toys and equipment to stimulate the children and encourage imaginative play.
“A lot of emphasis is also placed on our bespoke curriculum, which is tailored around the needs and interests of each child.
“I am thrilled at the progress the nursery has made.”
Picture: Children and staff at 100 Acre Wood spell out their Ofsted rating