Nursery's warm atmosphere and strong bonds hailed by inspectors

A NURSERY in Yeovil where children “run in when they arrive and quickly participate in the wide range of interesting activities staff have prepared” has been rated good in all areas following its latest Ofsted inspection.

- LEWIS CLARKE

Appletree Children’s Nursery, located at 51 The Park, Yeovil current-ly has 77 children on roll and offers full-day care for those aged from birth to four. The setting was visited by Ofsted on Thursday, February 6, and has maintained its overall good grade from its previous inspection.

Inspectors highlighted the nurs-ery’s warm atmosphere and the strong bonds formed between staff and children.

“Children enjoy their time at this warm and welcoming nursery. Staff are positive and caring. Children develop close bonds with their key person,’ the report said.

Staff were praised for their ability to help children feel secure from the outset. “Staff effectively use informa-tion collected from parents when children start to help them under-stand children's interests and meet their individual needs. This supports children to settle quickly and helps them feel safe and secure,’ the inspector wrote.

‘There was particular emphasis on how the nursery promotes independ-ence. “Children are encouraged to be independent in all aspects of their self-care and learning,’ Ofsted noted. “Young children are supported to put on their own wellies and rain suits to go outside. Older children pour their own drinks and wash their plates after snack”.