The nursery that ‘couldn’t be prouder’ after turning things around to earn ‘good’ rating from watchdog

A nursery says it ‘couldn’t be prouder’ after turning things around to be rated good by a watchdog.

Channings Childcare, in Newhey, Rochdale, was ordered to improve by Ofsted following a visit in November 2021.

Officials said that, while the Railway Street centre wanted the best for children in their care, the quality of education was not good enough and more needed to be done to address ‘weaknesses’.

However, it also noted that leaders had the ability to ‘bring about change’ – and that has been borne out by a new inspection report which praises the nursery for really upping its game.

Restoring the nursery’s ‘good’ rating, the document says all children are now ‘making progress in their learning’ – including those with special needs.

Kate Hoggard, company director, has welcomed the findings. She said: “The early years industry as a whole has faced extremely challenging times over recent months. In fact many nurseries have sadly not survived.

“It is therefore even more of a credit that our staff have achieved this outcome and it is wholly down to the hard work and dedication that they continuously put in. It is thoroughly deserved and we couldn’t be prouder!”

Ofsted officials said the nursery’s ‘passionate manager’ had ‘worked hard to develop the professional knowledge of the staff team since the last inspection’.

“Staff have a secure understanding of how young children learn and the curriculum they teach,” the report adds, noting that they ‘teach language skillfully’ and ‘place emphasis on the development of children’s communication’.

“If a child shows any signs of gaps in their learning, additional opportunities to practise are provided,” it continues.

“Children are becoming avid communicators.”The curriculum at the nursery is also described as ‘relevant and interesting’.

“Mathematics is embedded across the activities provided,” the report continues. “For example, staff challenge children to ‘half fill’ cylinders as they play in the water.

“Babies are encouraged to explore the space around them, and toddlers learn about more and less at mealtime.”

Parents were said to be satisfied with the progress their children were making, noting that they were learning a ‘varied vocabulary’.

“Children benefit from consistency in care and connect their learning,” the report adds.

However, officials say there is still room for improvement, noting that staff do not always adapt their teaching quickly enough and facilities mean children have fewer opportunities to develop their learning outdoors.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporting Service