A MIDDLESBROUGH nursery has been given the highest possible rating following an inspection by schools watchdog Ofsted.
Bright Stars Nursery received glowing praise for the ‘outstanding’ service it provides for its 46 children.
The facility, based at Thorntree Community Hub in Birkhall Road, received the top mark in all four categories of effectiveness of leadership, quality of teaching and learning, personal development and behaviour and outcomes for the children.
In her report, Inspector Eileen Grimes pays tribute to the outstanding quality of teaching and learning delivered by ‘enthusiastic and dynamic’ staff.
Ms Grimes writes: “Children are confident, self-assured and thrive as their needs are met incredibly well.
“Young people are provided with a superb range of experiences to explore with awe and wonder, using all their senses.”
The children, she adds, “arrive each day with enthusiasm and excitement.
“They are highly motivated to learn and explore the environment with high levels of energy and curiosity.”
Bright Stars was registered as a Middlesbrough Council nursery in 2012 and employs eight members of childcare staff. It is part of the Stronger Families service within the Council’s Supporting Communities department.
The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year- olds, as well as care for children with special educational needs or disability and those who speak English as an additional language.
Ms Grimes concludes: “Children enjoy strong relationships, make friends easily and are highly successful and confident learners.
“All children are extremely well prepared for their move to school.”
Bright Stars Nursery Manager Liz Rudd said: “We are ecstatic with the outcome as we have all worked extremely hard to achieve the best possible standards for our children and families.
“We hope this gives the children the foundations to enable them to move through school gaining outstanding results.”
Councillor Mick Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Communities and Public Health, said: “It really doesn’t get any better than this, and I offer my sincere congratulations to everyone at Bright Stars.
“This is a fantastic achievement and something of which everyone connected with the nursery can be justly proud.
“Their work – in partnership with parents and the local community – helps to give children the best possible foundation in life, and this report is official recognition that they are doing that work at the very highest level.”