A SPECIALIST Middlesbrough nursery has achieved Ofsted’s highest accolade – for the fourth time running.
The Cleveland Unit Child Development Centre – an early years assessment, therapy and teaching centre based at James Cook University Hospital – has been rated ‘outstanding’ across the board by the education watchdog following an inspection in July.
The unit supports children up to the age of five with complex special educational needs and has a current roll of 52.
During their latest visit, Ofsted found the quality and standard of early years provision, its contribution to children’s well-being and the unit’s leadership and management all to be outstanding.
In her report, Ofsted Inspector Lynne Pope highlights the ‘superb relationships’ children have with their friends and staff, and the ‘excellent progress’ they are able to make.
The unit’s ‘passionate and knowledgeable’ staff are praised for their contribution to a ‘vibrant and nurturing’ learning environment in which they act as positive role models.
Partnership working with parents and other agencies was found to be ‘highly effective’, with robust safety measures in place to ensure the safety of children at the unit.
Cleveland Unit Manager Jennie Kitchen said: “I am delighted that Ofsted have once again recognised the work we do to help every child in our care reach their full potential.
“To be judged as ‘outstanding’ once is a great achievement but to consistently receive this accolade is really something to be celebrated!
“We’re all very proud of this achievement, and I’m enormously grateful to all the staff, therapists, parents and carers who work together to help us to provide such a rich and varied experience for all the children.
“The Cleveland Unit has an outstanding team who are dedicated to helping children achieve the best possible outcomes, and this inspection is testament to their skill, expertise, care, hard work and commitment.”
Councillor Jan Brunton, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Education and Skills, said: “This latest outstanding Ofsted report for the Cleveland Unit is only possible through a great deal of hard work and dedication.
“We are very proud of the unit for providing such an outstanding service and my congratulations go to the manager and team and all the young people for this fantastic achievement.”