A nursery in Hartford has retained a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted following a recent inspection.

The inspection, conducted by Scott Thomas White, found Paint Pots Old School House Day Nursery, in school lane, to be ‘good’ in effective leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, behaviour and welfare and outcomes for children.

The nursery recently had a change of management and the inspection reflected well on the new leadership.

Insp White said: “The new manager is passionate about her role and has a clear vision about how to develop the nursery further.”

The nursery does require some improvements in the monitoring of staff to get the 'outstanding' rating.

Insp White said: “The monitoring of staff practice is not robust enough to help raise the quality of teaching to an exceptional level, specifically to better support children's engagement in group times.

“Staff do not share detailed enough information with parents about how to support their children's learning at home.

“Also, they do not fully encourage all parents to share information about their children's learning outside of the nursery.”

Despite these issues the inspector was impressed with the conduct of the children and the environment the nursery provided for them.

He said: “Children's behaviour is good. Staff encourage them to follow the rules of the nursery. Staff effectively promote children's healthy lifestyles well. They encourage them to be active outside and develop their physical and expressive skills.”