Thorne Manor Day Nursery and Pre-School, Holsworthy are celebrating after receiving an 'outstanding' Ofsted report.

This is the highest award of inspection judgement that can be received and Thorne Manor have achieved it across all areas of the Early Years

Founda­tion Stage and have been classed as a provision of 'exceptionally high

quality'.

Thorne Manor was initially inspected in Novem­ber 2008, achieving an outstanding in all areas, however, they had to go through a re-inspection three months later because, due to ill health of the inspector, the initial inspection was never completed.

Thorne Manor Day Nursery and Pre-School opened in 2004. It operates from a purpose-built building, which includes a gym, indoor/outdoor garden and an activity kitchen. It is situated on a working farm just outside the market town of Holsworthy. The setting is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm for 50 weeks of the year. The holiday club for older children is open in school holidays. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. The setting also operates a parent, baby and toddler group on Tuesday afternoons.

During their visit the inspectors referred to aspects they saw as 'wow moments', such as the children performing Mamma Mia, the spider that was brought in to be seen under the magnifying glass and the footprints that the children followed to show the inspectors 'Dave' the visiting dinosaur.

Ofsted felt the overall effectiveness of Thorne Manor was consistently outstanding in all areas and that the children who attended were happy, settled and achieving. They reported: "Learning and development is geared towards each individual, and because children participate in this, and there are effective systems for planning, assessment and monitoring, staff are able to ensure that the uniqueness of each child is fully recognised and catered for.

"As a result, all children are fully engaged, challenged and supported to make superb progress in their learning and development. These achievements are underpinned by excellent inclusive practice throughout the setting, and in its wider relationships with parents and other

partners.

"Thorne Manor's capacity to improve is extremely strong." Their ability to maintain the children's welfare was also noted by the inspectors to be exemplary.

The inspectors reported: "The dynamic environment and atmosphere engendered within the setting is the result of excellent team work by dedicated and committed staff that are led and managed effectively and inclusively."

After changes to curriculum legislation in September 2008 Thorne Manor Day Nursery and Pre-School have successfully integrated the new Early Years Foundation Stage guidance and the inspectors found many outstanding examples of practice to support this.

"The settings commitment to quality and improvement was further evidenced by their continued reflection of practice involving children, staff and parents. The excellent information provided to parents ensures that parents are able to be involved in their children's education and care.

"Children of all ages immensely enjoy the excellent variety of activities that promote their individual learning and development in all areas. The wonderful physical environment is extremely well organised to maximize access to resources and learning opportunities for all children.

"For example, the well equipped gym provides a safe and secure environment for babies and very young children to climb, roll and jump using appropriately sized apparatus; older children make excellent use of the indoor garden as they conduct experiments to direct and monitor the flow of water.

"All children are able to experience the unusual learning opportunities presented by the setting being situated on a farm, such as having their own piglets to take care of as well as 'Dora' the rabbit and many fish and South African Land Snails.

"They make extremely good use of planned activities, and informal opportunities that arise in play, to challenge and extend children of all ages and abilities. Staff ensure they have an extremely good understanding of each child's starting point, and children are consistently monitored throughout the setting, in order to ensure they make good progress.

"Children receive a wealth of experiences in all areas of learning. Children are extremely well behaved. They benefit from the excellent role models provided by staff, who are consistently calm and warm in their interactions with children, listening to them and respecting their thoughts. This results in children who are kind and helpful, with older children, showing care and concern for younger friends."