By Bridie Adams

A CHILDREN’S centre in Leominster has been graded ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted following the first inspection of the nursery since before the pandemic.

Bargates Children’s Centre has maintained the ‘outstanding’ rating it received at its last inspection in 2017, with the highest possible grade in every area, from quality of education to leadership and management.

The inspector has praised the nursery leadership for their highly qualified and experienced staff, noting a deep knowledge of child development and learning styles.

The inspector also noted the excitement and happiness of children, who enjoyed thoughtfully planned activities like painting and growing cress. Staff teach children about the cycle of life and being healthy, as well as broadening their social experiences by taking them to the local care home.

The report also said: “The support for children with special educational needs and disabilities is exceptional. Staff are quick to get the support children need.”

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The report also praised communication with parents, which was very strong and benefitted the children.

Safeguarding arrangements are effective with regular team meetings and training to ensure staff’s knowledge of safeguarding is current.

Gill Bilbrough, who set up the nursery 25 years ago as a mum of four young children, said: “We are delighted for our nursery to be again judged by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’ in all areas.

“Over the years, we have had the great pleasure of caring for many, many children from Leominster and the surrounding areas. Some of those children have gone on to bring their own children to nursery here and so the big, happy Bargates family just keeps growing.

“During the past few months, we have celebrated the long service of three of our staff who have been with us for 25 years. The passion and commitment of the whole staff team, the support from families and the local community and of course the excited, fun-loving children all go to make for a happy purposeful place for children to play, learn and grow.”

141 children under five are on roll at the children’s centre. The centre employs 24 members of childcare staff, including three qualified teachers.