A NURSERY director has praised the “tireless” work of her staff in achieving a successful Ofsted report.

Unicorn Nursery, in Maesbury, was rated ‘good’ after a visit from the education standards body last month, with the inspector praising the “sense of belonging and contentment” fostered there.

Director Louise Batham-Willmore said: “We are really pleased with the latest inspection which has clearly vindicated everything we do at the nursery.”

The Main Road, Maesbury Marsh, site had previously been rated “inadequate” in February, but in the six-month follow-up report inspector Lorraine Lawton praised “the appointment of a well-qualified and experienced manager” for strengthening the leadership team, who have raised staff morale.

Ms Batham-Willmore said: “Since the disappointing result in February, all the staff have worked tirelessly over the last six months to improve all aspects of the setting.”

Vikki Aldred, the co-manager at Unicorn said: “We have a very proactive staff and good planning and exciting activities mean that the children are making excellent progress in their development and learning.

“The new ideas – tinker table, play-doh station, yoga and a wonderful Forest School for the babies, have all been embraced and taken on board by our very enthusiastic team.”

In her report, which followed an inspection carried out in August, Ms Lawton wrote: “All children are looked after by caring and experienced staff who have a high regard for making children feel safe and emotionally secure.

“As a result, new children settle easily and all children quickly develop a sense of belonging, are content and ready to learn.”

She adds that the teaching quality is good and parents are “over the moon”.

Ms Lawton recommends two areas for improvement: “Review the organisation of group activities, particularly for toddlers, to help promote higher levels of engagement; and further embed the systems to monitor the quality of teaching.”