Staff and children at a nursery in Woodley are celebrating after achieving an Outstanding rating from Ofsted.

The Little Ducklings Nursery in Campbell Road, Woodley, provides daycare to dozens of children aged four and under.

Staff are celebrating that they have ‘done it again’ after achieving an Outstanding rating Ofsted for the second time in a row.

The verdict of the nursery begins very well, with inspector Alice Roberts beaming with praise for staff for creating a happy space for children to grow and learn.

Her report states: “Children thrive in this delightful nursery. They are exceptionally happy, confident and motivated to learn.

“Children demonstrate that they feel extremely safe and secure as they eagerly join in with the precisely planned learning experiences staff offer.

“Staff inspire children with their enthusiasm, and challenge their thinking through deep and engaging conversations and interactions.

“They have excellent knowledge of how to build on what children know and can do and extend children’s learning to a higher level.”

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Inspector Roberts had little to recommend, giving the nursery a clean bill of health. Praising the leadership team, her report states: “The inspirational manager leads her dedicated team with a clear vision and strives for excellence.

“The staff are passionate about ensuring children are well prepared with the skills they need to be independent, resilient and confident to do things for themselves.”

Inspector Roberts also observed that children ‘reap the benefits’ of fresh air and exercise, with staff providing early learning about evaporation, with older children learning how to tackle obstacles and manage risk.

Celebrating the rating, Sadia Malik, the nursery manager, who has worked there for 24 years, said: “It was a phenomenal day, like every other.

“My extreme passion has always been to deliver a high standard of quality childcare and education, and to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ grade once again is a true reflection of the dedication and hard work the staff team deliver on a daily basis.

“I am immensely proud of my team and a big thank-you to all our parents for the continued support and feedback.

“We wouldn’t have achieved this grade, without our wonderful children, they are and always have been our number one priority.

“As parents you should be proud of each and every one of them.”

Reading Chronicle: Sadia Malik, nursery manager, with fellow staff and children celebrating the Little Ducklings Day Nursery in Woodley achieving an Outstanding Ofsted rating. Credit: Sadia MalikSadia Malik, nursery manager, with fellow staff and children celebrating the Little Ducklings Day Nursery in Woodley achieving an Outstanding Ofsted rating. Credit: Sadia Malik

Little Ducklings was inspected in May with the Ofsted report being published late last month.

Ian Morgan, who has owned the nursery for 16 years, said: “I am so pleased the team have achieved an outstanding grade once again following our previous inspection in August 2017 and now again in May 2023.

“I cannot be any prouder of the team and their achievements.”

The nursery has run for 28 years since opening in 1995.