Safari Childcare, Clairmont Road, rated good by Ofsted

Safari Childcare, Colchester, impressed the children’s services watchdog during an inspection in May.

The nursery in Clairmont Road, Prettygate, rated good across all of the board in quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

The inspector’s report told how children arrive “excitedly” at the nursery and are happy to leave their parents amid a friendly welcome from the staff.

They become “engrossed” in their play and are supported while they learn to paint, chop food and initiate their own learning through their individual interests.

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The report reads: “The manager and her deputy demonstrate a commitment and passion to provide children with meaningful, fun learning opportunities.

“The staff's individual skills and ideas are valued, to further enhance the curriculum. Staff morale is good, they are enthusiastic and feel inspired.

“Parents speak highly of the care and education their children receive. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”

The only improvement suggested to the nursery by the inspector was to help children to understand how to take more care of their environment and resources, particularly when leading their own play.