Telford nursery rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted
A Telford nursery has been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted just six months after it opened.
ABC @ Hoo at Preston On The Weald Moors is the second of ABC Day Nurseries four sites to have been given the top rating by Ofsted under new, tougher criteria brought in last year.
Owner Penny Hustwick, who founded ABC more than 20 years ago, said she was ‘over the moon’ following the results.
She said it had extra significance as under the new Ofsted ratings system, criteria had been toughened, meaning achieving the top ‘Outstanding’ level was more difficult than ever.
“We really are over the moon. It is especially meaningful for ABC @ Hoo to have been awarded the top rating barely six months after it opened, having replaced our former and original site in Wrockwardine,” said Mrs Hustwick.
“We had a real battle on our hands right from the planning stages to get it built but it has been worth it.
“We have parents willing to travel from miles around so their children can enjoy the fantastic rural setting surrounded by animals, especially the regular visits our ‘farm hands’ make to Hoo Farm right next door.
“To achieve Outstanding so soon after it opened is just the icing on the cake and is testament to the hard work and dedication of our wonderful staff.”
The Ofsted report praised the “truly inspirational” management and high quality care that staff gave to every child in their care.
It said: “The owner and management team are truly inspirational, exceptionally caring, committed and knowledgeable of their role and responsibility in providing high quality childcare and education. They act as excellent role models to staff. Together, they work with a truly dedicated staff team, to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage framework highly successfully.
“Children's communication and language is excellently supported across all ages. For example, toddlers listen intently to staff during yoga session, listening to their commands mimicking their actions. Staff constantly praise children, therefore, their self-esteem and self assurance is fully promoted and children develop a positive sense of themselves and respect for others.”
Under the new toughened Ofsted criteria, schools and nurseries that could previously have been rated ‘outstanding’ even if inspectors did not find teaching and learning to be of the highest standard could now simply given a ‘good’ or even the new ‘requires improvement’ rating. This has resulted in many schools and nurseries having been ‘downgraded’ from previous ratings, despite no reduction in the quality of care or teaching.
