Higham nursery is '˜outstanding', says Ofsted

Little Steps in College Street has been judged as ‘outstanding’ in all areas by the education watchdog.

Inspectors praised the quality of teaching and leadership and nursery manager Sue Chapman was delighted.

She said: “In our last Ofsted we got a ‘good’ but we have worked really hard with the ambition of taking that forward.

“It’s a fantastic achievement and we are very, very proud.

“We weren’t expecting it but hard work does pay off.

“Now we want to maintain that level and we are always striving to make improvements.”

The nursery has 30 members of staff and 99 places.

It provides care for children from the ages of three months to nursery school age, with an after-school club for children up to the age of 10.

A report by Ofsted inspector Melanie Eastwell heaped commendations on the nursery for its approach.

The report said: “The nursery environment is organised exceptionally well.

“The resources and activities spark children’s interest and curiosity, and staff are deployed most effectively to support and extend children’s learning.

“Children are very confident in the nursery.

“They choose their own activities both inside and outside, they know where to find items they want to add to their play and they enthusiastically help to tidy away.”