College nursery celebrates ‘Outstanding’ success

Last week, staff were celebrating at Gloucestershire College Day Nursery, in Cheltenham, after receiving top marks from Ofsted.

In all 14 areas examined, inspectors awarded ‘Outstanding’ accreditations, highlighting the provision of services at the college’s onsite nursery as being exceptionally high, and children there are “happy, confident and really enjoy their time at the setting”.

Nursery manager Judy Wade said: “The success of the nursery Ofsted results are due to the commitment of all the nursery staff. We were delighted when Ofsted gave us their feedback grade, proving that hard work and striving for continued self assessment and improvement in all areas has paid off.

“Gloucestershire College nursery’s commitment to fully support students and staff with children whilst they are at GC will continue, where they can be safe in the knowledge that their children are being cared for in an outstanding environment. We strive to provide every child with the best possible start in life and extend their experiences in positive ways.”

The nursery employs 16 members of staff and is based at the Cheltenham campus in Princess Elizabeth way. Some 77 children attend the nursery per week in the early years group – children from birth to the 31 August following their fifth birthday.

Ofsted’s report noted: “Children take part in a wide, varied, balanced range of interesting, stimulating activities which helps them progress extremely well in all areas of learning and development”, and that “an excellent partnership with parents and others has been developed.”

Candy Burke, nursery supervisor said: “I’m pleased that the teams’ hard work and dedication has paid off and that we have been awarded outstanding from Ofsted. I have been at the GC nursery for thirteen years, in that time we have always constantly improved our standards for the children, maintaining the quality of provision with changing times, and we will continue to do so.”

Annette Cast, Vice Principal added: “Since the last Cheltenham nursery inspection in 2005 a lot of time and effort has gone in to increasing the number of child student places by 27%. We now have 40 children in Cheltenham and 67 children in Gloucester in full day care. Everyone has worked so hard to provide a service for the students in the community, and the ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted award is just the icing on the cake. Judy Wade and her team are brilliant.”