Scallywags Day Nursery in Oakham rated good by Ofsted
The owner of a nursery has been left thrilled after its Ofsted rating jumped from requires improvement to good.
Following a visit from Ofsted inspectors in September, Scallywags Day Nursery in Oakham has been rated ‘good’ in all areas.
During the pandemic the nursery in Cold Overton Road remained open to ensure that support was available for essential workers.
Owner, Alan Scott, says the latest inspection is ‘the confirmation’ they needed and that it was great to get ‘wonderful feedback on the hard work that is put in by everyone associated with the nursery’.
The nursery offers day care to children under five-years-old, and is split into five age and ability groups.
Every child has an early years practitioner assigned to them while every group has a senior practitioner who has overall responsibility for their team.
In the report, Ofsted inspector, Hayley Ruane said: “Children behave well. They take turns and learn to share when they use paints and brushes.
“Children are happy and show positive relationships with staff and their peers.”
“They laugh with their friends and staff. Children of all ages go to staff for cuddles and show that they feel safe and secure.”
Scallywags offers free flexible settling in sessions for children finding it difficult to adjust to a new environment.
This is something that the inspector commented on within the report, stating that ‘staff place a high priority on supporting children’s personal, social and emotional development’.
She said: “Children settle quickly, show that they are emotionally secure and engage well in learning.”
The nursery continues to enhance and improve its facilities, with new lighting being installed throughout the nursery and two out of the three nursery play areas having new artificial grass installed.
Since the last inspection in 2019, the management team has also made improvements to the provision taking its rating from ‘requires improvement’ to
‘good’.
Alan said: “It’s a relief. We have been waiting longer than we would have been because of covid so it has been a long time coming and well
deserved.”
To improve further staff should ensure they make the best use of conversations during play to further help the understanding of
children.