AN Alcombe nursery – awarded the highest possible Ofsted score on its 20th anniversary – plans to celebrate its success with a “monster party” for all pupils since 1998.
Cheeky Cherubs nursery received an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted assessment after an inspection on January 30.
The report praised the nursery’s “extremely effective leadership”, highly motivated and enthusiastic staff, excellent relationships with parents and the emotional security of the children.
In a report on the nursery, based at Alcombe Children’s Centre, Ofsted inspector Julie Neal said: “Babies develop very strong bonds with staff who give them excellent support as they gain confidence in exploring their surroundings.
“Toddlers confidently choose what they want to do and staff respect their decisions. Older children are excellent role models who are consistently kind and helpful to younger ones.”
Ms Neal said that the nursery’s leadership and management was outstanding, with excellent tracking systems which quickly identified any gaps in learning.
She added: “The manager and staff are highly experienced in working with other agencies to help safeguard children and their understanding of child-protection procedures is excellent.
“Staff use their excellent observations and assessments of children to help them plan highly exciting and challenging learning activities and use their communication skills to keep them engaged.”
Ms Neal pinpointed the nursery’s links with local care homes which older children regularly visit: “They develop very good relationships with the people they meet.
“Children enjoy a very stimulating learning environment. Outdoor spaces are particularly exciting and greatly inspire children of all ages to explore and investigate.”
The report noted that staff had an excelled relationship with parents: “They work closely together to identify what children know and can do before they start to attend, and regularly meet to review children’s ongoing progress.”
Nursery manager Jo Buck said she found out the results of the Ofsted report on the nursery’s 20th birthday: “We know we are outstanding but it’s great that Ofsted think so, too!
“The inspector said it was a privilege to spend the day with us and she was blown away by what we do at Cheeky Cherubs.”
The nursery plans a 20th birthday celebration party in April and hopes to contact previous, now grown-up, pupils through Facebook: “We’re immensely proud of what we have achieved and want to share it with everyone who has been on the journey with us,” said Jo.