Nursery earns top marks

Youngsters and staff at a Shropshire nursery and pre-school were today celebrating being teacher's pet after school inspectors branded it "outstanding" and ranked it in the top four per cent nationwide.

Ark Nursery in Pontesbury, near Shrewsbury, got top marks in all 14 categories tested during a recent spot check.

A team of inspectors from Ofsted - the government's education and childcare watchdog - wrote a glowing report after visiting on June 16 to cast an eye over early years provision at the Hall Bank site.

In her report, inspector Mary Anne Henderson heaped praise on the nursery and said: "Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

"The staff work exceptionally well together and with the parents and carers to ensure positive relationships are very well fostered, thereby having a positive impact on the children."

She also praised the nursery for its focus on healthy eating, numeracy and literacy. Roz Young, a director at the privately-owned nursery, said: "We were absolutely over the moon - thrilled.

"Everybody's hard work has been rewarded and the inspection came without any notice so they caught us on the hop but we still did really well.

"Parents have been coming in and saying 'well done'. They have been saying some lovely things."

The nursery caters for 48 children aged three months to five years.