Parents speak highly of an Ellesmere Port nursery an Ofsted inspector found.

Isobel Ford made the comment after a visit to the Sunny Days Private Day Nursery on Vale Road.

The nursery, opened in 2014, has not previously been inspected by Ofsted and was awarded a ‘good’ rating. Run by Brambley Hedge Nursery Ltd it has 49 0-4 year olds on roll.

Activities undertaken by the inspector during her visit included observing the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and the effect this has on the children’s learning and taking into account the views of parents spoken to on the day.

The inspector told parents: “Staff have created a calm and welcoming environment where children can freely access a wide range of quality resources to enhance their learning.

“Children’s personal, social and emotional development are promoted well, including through regular praise and encouragement. Children form strong bonds and attachments with the staff and demonstrate that they are happy and settled.

“Staff encourage parents to play an active part in their children’s learning.

“They support them well to share information about what children are achieving at home and promote a shared approach to helping children make good progress.

“The manager ensures every aspect of the provision is reviewed regularly. She has made significant improvements in a short time to raise standards.

“This commitment to providing a high-quality nursery provision has a positive effect on the children’s education.”

She found the nursery follows robust procedures when recruiting and vetting staff to ensure that they are suitable to work with children.

Teaching is monitored regularly and staff are supported to improve their skills. They work closely with parents and other organisations to ensure they are meeting children’s individual learning needs, especially for those children who have special educational needs or disabilities.

Staff are well-qualified and plan ‘purposeful activities’ linked to the children’s interests.

Parents are regularly informed of children’s progress and ‘speak highly’ of the happy, caring and helpful nursery which also teaches the little ones French.

Children share warm relationships with the staff, who are friendly and know them well. The ‘confident’ youngsters have good attitudes to learning.

They have regular access to active play in the ‘stimulating’ outdoor area at the nursery.

Nursery manager Jessica Wharton said: “We work hard to create a supportive and caring environment for children and we’re absolutely thrilled that our latest Ofsted report reflects this.

“I’m so proud of the staff, children and their families for making Sunny Days such a positive place to learn and develop. Everyone has worked together to make this happen.”

The inspector made two suggestions for further improvement.