By Kelly Eve Education reporter

Last updated at 17:25, Friday, 28 October 2011

Leaders of a new Cumbrian nursery are celebrating after it was praised in its first official inspection by the government’s education regulator.

Little Rascals Nursery at Raughton Head, near Dalston, opened in the summer term and was visited last month by an inspector from Ofsted.

Carys Millican praised the nursery’s “lovely rural setting” and ranks its overall effectiveness as good, second on Ofsted’s four-point scale.

She also commended the “stimulating and motivating” atmosphere and play opportunities available to the children as well as the “well-resourced” outdoor classroom area.

She also highlighted the good relationships that parents enjoy with the nursery and its staff.

Little Rascals is staffed by manager Janice Durham and assistant Claire Casson, both qualified primary school teachers.

Janice said: “We opened in the summer term, and it’s great to have our hard work and planning acknowledged by the report. The first children to join us have settled in brilliantly, and welcomed new friends this term as well.”

Parent Lucy Bowman said:“We were keen to enrol Henry here when the nursery opened. He loves coming here with his big sisters, and it will be very familiar once he starts school next year.”

Little Rascals Nursery is attached to Raughton Head Primary School but is run independently by a board of directors drawn from the local community.

To improve, Ofsted have asked nursery leaders develop further their system of self-evaluation to identify future strengths and weaknesses.

To meet legal requirements they must also make a slight amendment to their admissions procedure and the information they ask parents and carers for when children are about to start at the nursery.

The nursery caters for pre-school children between two and six years old and can look after up to 10 children in each session.

It opens each week day, on afternoons every Monday and Wednesday. Morning sessions are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. A lunch club is also available after requests from parents.

First published at 14:06, Friday, 28 October 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk