A ‘VIBRANT and well-resourced’ Winsford day nursery which provides 'lots of cuddles and reassurance' has been rated good overall following its first ever Ofsted inspection.

Start Well day nursery in Greville Drive was rated good in all four areas at last month's inspection: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. 

The report describes how children 'develop exceptionally strong emotional attachments with their key person when settling into this wonderfully welcoming nursery'.

Start Well director, Angela Hayward, said: “This was the first inspection of our day nursery setting since it opened in 2018, and we are absolutely delighted to have achieved an Ofsted rating of good.

"The team are highly qualified and knowledgeable and consistently provide children with a plethora of amazing opportunities to broaden their understanding of the world.  

“We are often seen out and about supporting local charities and forging strong links with our local community.

Northwich Guardian: Learning is a messy business: Start Well Learning LtdLearning is a messy business: Start Well Learning Ltd (Image: Start Well Learning Ltd)

The report states: “Staff build nurturing relationships to ensure children feel safe and secure from the moment they start by providing lots of cuddles and reassurance.

“Language and communication are of paramount importance in the nursery. Staff provide a language-rich environment where they talk to children, sing songs and read books.”

The report also praises how staff develop independence around food by encouraging children to feed themselves at snack and lunchtime, while inspectors were impressed by the ‘relentless pursuit of excellence’ of managers and staff.

Ms Hayward said: “Our nursery team are passionate about extending vocabulary through singing, reading, and bringing books to life and Ofsted have emphasised how we are ‘creating confident communicators’.  

“We look forward to introducing the newest member of the team ‘Colin the Crocodile’ who will be helping the children to learn about the importance of keeping their teeth clean and shiny.”

Under areas for improvement, inspectors noted that staff could do more to promote oral hygiene through teeth brushing after meals.

A Start Well spokesperson said that this has now been addressed.