Nursery is buzzing with activity, say inspectors

1:13pm Saturday 19th July 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

A nursery school "buzzes with activity and laughter" according to Government inspectors who graded its work as either good or outstanding.

Ofsted has published its verdict on Strong Close Nursery School and Children's Centre, in Airedale Road, Keighley.

Of the eight categories assessed three were marked as outstanding, including personal development and well-being, curriculum and other activities and care, guidance and support.

The remaining categories were all graded as good.

In their report the inspectors concluded: "This is a good school which is much loved by children and their parents. The nursery buzzes with activity and laughter as children play and chatter together, relishing the space both indoors and outdoors.

"Provision for children with learning difficulties or disabilities is outstanding and they make excellent progress as a result."

The inspectors were particularly impressed by the school's imaginative provision of hands-on activities, designed to stimulate children's imaginations.

Their report states: "Every day an enormous range of activities is on offer to all children, such as watching eggs hatching, building large structures or acting out an imaginary play in a toy theatre made from boxes and curtains. Activities are exceptionally well planned to incorporate several areas of learning at once and to ensure that learning is purposeful and enjoyable.

"For example, a take-away pizza stall involved children making, selling and delivering cardboard pizzas on bikes which they had labelled and numbered to match numbered parking lots.

"The result is outstanding personal development and good achievement in all areas of learning."

Strong Close acting head Julie Groves said: "Staff, governors, parents and carers were highly delighted with the Ofsted report.

"It is a fantastic achievement and it is wonderful to see the commitment and hard work of all involved with us being recognised in this way.

"It was especially pleasing to see such a number of outstanding grades, particularly for children's personal development and well-being, the curriculum we offer and the governors.

"However, there is no standing still. The report provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our practice and has helped us to identify priorities for development.

"The children's centre is now fully operational and we hope to encourage even more families to make full use of the facilities we have on offer."