TOP MARKS FOR NURSERY

Alpha Nursery, on Stonehouse Drive, received classifications of very good in all six categories in the report in June, which led to an overall ruling of

acceptable and of high quality.

The only area which could possibly be improved on, according to the report, is for the staff to be more actively involved in the planning process.

Manager and co-owner, Annette Brannon, was delighted with the result and feels their success is due to the high adult to child ratio offered - one adult to four children.

She said: "Our staff aim to discover, then follow, the intellectual, physical and emotional needs of each child and work towards individual achievement in the six main areas of learning."

The inspection found the quality of teaching to be very good with staff and facilities accommodating more able children as well as those with special needs and those for whom English is an additional language.

The learning environment was listed as stimulating with an extensive range of equipment, including Montessori range.

And the children were described as very confident and motivated, showing care and concern for others, good communicators and clear speakers with good problem solving skills - and they have fun.

The leadership and management was also listed as very good and the report said: "The owner is very involved in the nursery, guiding and supporting staff and the partnership with parents and carers is very good."

This latest Ofsted report was the third successful inspection, with no significant weaknesses found, received by Alpha Nursery since it was established 16 years ago by husband and wife team Annette and Raymond Brannon.

Their youngest son Simon, now a 19-year-old university student, was one of the first nursery children to attend.

The couple are now looking into opening a second nursery within the grounds of a primary school to establish strong links between nursery and reception classes, plus breakfast and after school classes.

Mrs Brannon said: "We were absolutely delighted with the report, but it wasn't a surprise because we all work very hard to maintain the standards. We will perhaps look into expanding next year."