A children’s centre in South Tyneside has been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted inspectors for the quality of care and learning it offers to youngsters.
STANLEY’s at Boldon Children’s Centre scored top marks across the board for the second time in a row. Inspectors described the management and leadership as ‘inspirational’ and partnerships with parents as ‘superb.’
The report said: “Children are excited and motivated to learn in this lively, vibrant and challenging nursery. They take an active part in their own learning as they make excellent choices about what they want to do. They are enthusiastic, happy and clearly enjoy their time at the nursery.
“Staff are very caring and very kind, providing exceptional support to children. The extremely strong focus on helping children make decisions and to promoting their independence contributes to children feeling highly valued and very confident.”
The report adds that youngsters at STANLEY’s at Boldon make ‘consistently high rates of progress.’ A strong focus on promoting children’s speaking, listening and social skills helps get children ready for their next stage of learning and the move to school.
The nursery, which is managed by South Tyneside Council, cares for 81 babies and children up to the age of four.
One parent whose three-year-old son Daniel attends STANLEY’s at Boldon is Emma Gibson who lives in South Shields.
Emma said: “Before starting there Daniel had no confidence and was very shy but now he is like a totally different child. His speech has improved enormously, I can have a full conversation with him now. I am over the moon at the progress he has made.
“I could not have hoped for nicer people, the staff there are so nurturing and they have become almost an extended family for us.”
Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families, Councillor Joan Atkinson, said: “This is a fantastic achievement, especially following news that nearby Boldon Nursery School was named School of the Year by the Times Education Supplement.
“Giving our young people the very best start in life remains one of our core commitments so it is wonderful to see our efforts paying off in this way. “