Nursery where children thrive rated as outstanding

A Rochdale nursery where children are said to ‘thrive’ has been hailed as ‘outstanding’ by the education watchdog.

Georgie Porgie’s Nursery, in Kirkholt, has received a glowing report from Ofsted, with inspectors describing it as ‘superbly organised, stimulating and imaginative’.

Manager Gill Felton is praised for leading her team with ‘true inspiration and admirable enthusiasm’, while staff are said to use ‘exceptionally effective’ teaching methods.

The report states that staff are well qualified and ‘have a superb knowledge of how children learn best and plan exceptionally challenging activities that capture children’s interests’.

They are also said to be extremely caring and sensitive and show genuine affection for the children in their care.

As a result, the children display ‘high levels of self-esteem and emotional security in this extremely welcoming, nurturing environment’.

The report continues: “Children thrive and are extremely happy and settle well in this high-quality nursery.  

“Staff provide children with clear and consistent boundaries and play alongside them which helps to teach them how to share and take turns.”

And it says the behaviour of the children – who are aged between two and four – is ‘exemplary’, adding: "Staff help children to learn about the similarities and differences between people and communities and the wider world.

"Regular walks to the library, shops and building site help children to develop an excellent knowledge of the local community."

The youngsters are said to benefit hugely from their time at the nursery, with all making ‘rapid progress’ with any falling behind quickly given the attention they need to close the gap on their peers.

According to inspectors, ‘children gain an excellent range of skills, abilities and attitudes that help to prepare them extremely well for future learning and school’.

Parents are also said to be ‘fully involved in all aspects of nursery life and are provided with a wealth of information that helps them to support children’s learning at home’.

Sarah Arundel, deputy manager at Georgie Porgie’s, said everyone at the nursery was ‘over the moon’ about the outstanding rating.

She said: “We have worked very hard to get where we are. All the parents are thrilled as well – they said they knew we would get ‘outstanding’ before we got the Ofsted grading.

“We have had lots of praise from parents, the early years team and lots of professionals – and lots of congratulations from everybody.”

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter