Nursery near Shrewsbury shares 'delight' after glowing Ofsted report praises staff for 'care and affection'

The Ark Day Nursery in Pontesbury has been graded 'Good' by Ofsted following an inspection in June.

In their report, inspectors praised staff who show "genuine care and affection" for children. They were also impressed with the range of extracurricular activities provided for youngsters, including visits to places within the community.

Leaders at the nursery have also been commended for designing an "ambitious" curriculum. And, sharing her delight at the report, nursery manager Susie Knight pledged build on this success.

She said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded a 'Good' rating in our latest Ofsted inspection. This outcome reflects the dedication, passion, and professionalism of our entire team, who work tirelessly every day to provide the very best care and education for the children.

"The inspectors praised our strong safeguarding culture, recognising that children’s safety and wellbeing are always our highest priority. Families can feel reassured that we have robust systems in place, and that our staff are fully committed to keeping children safe, secure, and happy.

"The report also highlighted the strength of our curriculum, which is carefully designed to spark children’s curiosity, build their confidence, and support their individual development. By offering a broad and engaging programme of learning, we ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive and develop a lifelong love of learning.

"We are grateful to our families for the trust and support they show us, and we see this result as recognition not only of our staff but also of the wonderful community around us. Looking ahead, we are committed to building on this success and continuing to provide children with the strongest possible foundations for their future."

The nursery's quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management have all been rated 'good'. 

The report added that parents of children "comment positively" about the care provided. 

"Staff at this nursery show genuine care and affection for the children who attend," the report said. "Babies spend time in a nurturing environment, full of opportunities to explore a wide range of learning experiences. 

"Children benefit from a range of extracurricular activities, where they visit local places in the community. Leaders consider how these opportunities support children to expand their knowledge and understanding of people and the world around them. 

"Children learn how to build relationships with their peers and adults. They behave well and are respectful of others. Children learn to play cooperatively and make friendships. They help each other to solve problems. 

"Staff show genuine interest in children and help them to make connections between their home life and nursery. For example, as children play with farm animals, staff talk to them about animals they have at home, helping them to recall familiar experiences."