A NURSERY where children’s curiosity is encouraged and independence is supported has been praised by an inspector.
Ofsted visited Happy Days Nursery and Pre-School in Willowherb Road, Lyde Green, in March.
Inspector Rachel Howell said the nursery, which has 169 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: “Children form strong bonds with staff and enjoy their time at the nursery. New babies are closely supported to settle into nursery life.
“Staff’s patient, clear explanations help children’s understanding, teaching them to interact appropriately with others and develop their social skills.
“Children’s independence and sense of responsibility is carefully supported. Babies enjoy the freedom to explore, showing their growing self-confidence.”
The education regulator found that “interesting activities”, planned in line with a clear curriculum, help children to develop skills.
The inspector said: “Children’s curiosity is encouraged very well during science experiments and exploration with natural items.
“Staff provide ‘communication hotspots’ with rich and stimulating materials to prompt children’s interest and language, helping them become confident communicators.”
The length of time children are able to spend outside was also praised.
The report highlighted the nursery’s ‘key person’ system, which helps the 34 members of staff who work with children to know them well, precisely track their development and identify any gaps in learning, seeking help when children need extra support.
The inspector also praised work to promote healthy eating and lifestyles.
Parents are kept “very well informed” in a variety of ways, face-to-face and online.
To further improve, the inspector said the nursery should help staff to evaluate and adapt practices to more consistently extend children’s learning.
Happy Days Lyde Green is part of a group which opened its first nursery in 1991 and now operates 35, from Cornwall and South Wales to Surrey.
The purpose-built Lyde Green nursery was last inspected in 2022, when it received an ‘outstanding’ rating.
Happy Days Lyde Green operations manager Samantha Richardson said: “This fantastic result is a reflection of the passion, commitment and professionalism of our wonderful team.
“We are so proud to be recognised for providing a rich, inclusive learning environment where children are supported to flourish.”