A “LOVING” nursery where children “thrive and flourish” has improved from good to outstanding in a glowing report from Ofsted.

The education watchdog inspected Witham Valley Nursery, giving it the highest possible grading in all four areas – for the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

Based in the Guithavon Valley Evangelical Church, the nursery improved on its previous good inspection in 2016.

Inspectors had high praise for the staff, commending the teaching, relationships with parents and safeguarding.

It said: “Children thrive and flourish in this inclusive, loving nursery.

“They look forward to attending each day and come in happily to settle at an exciting activity. Children form unbreakable bonds with staff at the setting.

“Staff create an incredibly inviting setting with an amazing variety of resources.

“Teaching standards are exceptional. Staff ensure they build on what children already know and can do.

“All staff are knowledgeable of their roles and responsibilities for safeguarding children.”

The report also praised parents’ high praise for the nursery and its staff.

It said: “Parent partnerships are outstanding. Parents highly praise the setting for the strong bonds that children make with staff and state their children love attending.

“Parents appreciate the regular updates about what children have been learning and enjoying each day.

“They praise the setting for the range of activities and opportunities for children.”

The report also added how “community involvement is exceptional”, saying that the children regularly go on walks to the local duck pond and spot wildlife on the way, as well as taking part in take part in regular singing and dancing sessions.

Manager Mandy Nial said: “The report was amazing.

“All of our staff all the ladies are lovely with the children, and it really shone through, how well we all work as a team, and the children come first no matter what.

“We are all over the moon.

“But I had only been the manager for three weeks during the inspection.

“Our previous manager Jannette Hawkins, she left me with the incredible team we have, and everything here was what she built up and put in place, so she deserves so much credit.

“This report is her legacy.”