A BRADFORD nursery recently marked its 25th birthday and has cause for celebration after receiving a 'good' Ofsted rating.

Childsplay Neighbourhood Nursery at Cafe West, on Wanstead Crescent, Allerton, received a 'good' rating across the board on a visit by an Ofsted inspector on September 23. 

Childsplay also recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Bev Mullaney, manager of the Childsplay Neighbourhood Nursery at Cafe West, said: "We just celebrated 25 years of being in the community.

"We started in 1996 at a time when the charity Barnardo's conducted a family needs survey in Allerton and affordable childcare was highlighted as the biggest need in this area.

"We started at Laycock Family Care but when we became so successful we had to open at Cafe West too.

"We've trained hundreds of young people, some of whom have gone on to become successful as teachers, doctors and in other professions.

"Some of them came back to visit us when we had an open day to celebrate our 25th anniversary.

"We've got a good track record of working in the community," which Mrs Mullaney said was one of the areas that Ofsted highlighted in its recent report.

"We're more than just a nursery, we're a lifeline for families in the community, particularly those parents who don't have external support.

"We have a welcoming and nurturing environment with staff who work hard and communicate well.

"The children also absolutely love their time here at the nursery.

"Our setting has also worked hard to create a culture of respect and support for the parents of the children at our nursery.

"We couldn't have done this without the support of the parents."

In the report, the inspector wrote: "The dedicated and passionate leadership and staff team create a welcoming and nurturing environment where children can play and learn.

"Children are happy and safe. They have good bonds with staff and feel comfortable and secure. Children enjoy attending the nursery.

"The leadership team and staff know the children well and have a clear understanding of their starting points and individual needs.

"Children enjoy the nursery's indoor and outdoor free-flow approach, which enables them to explore and supports their physical development."

To improve, the inspector said the nursery needs to "use more opportunities in the daily routines to enhance children's developing independence skills and strengthen staff's knowledge of the appropriate action to take when supporting children who are struggling to regulate their behaviour".

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