Children are getting a good start to their education at a nursery, the Government’s education watchdog has found.

Casson Fold Day Nursery on Lower Leigh Road in Daisy Hill was marked good by Ofsted.

Inspector Jenny Smillie found that the children are happy to enter the nursery where they are greeted by “warm and welcoming staff”.

“They settle swiftly because staff know them well and provide the encouragement that children need to thrive,” she added.

“There is a keen focus on supporting children’s personal, social, and emotional development throughout the curriculum.

“Children form positive attachments with key persons, which supports them to feel safe and secure.”

Inspector Smillie also noted that children benefit from a range of experiences that “develop their independence and self-care skills” which encourages their enthusiasm for learning and supports their self-esteem.

She added: “For example, the children in the pre-school room take great pride when they find their own names, stating the initial letter sound that their name begins with.

“Children are being well supported to develop skills to help them in their future learning and at school.

The children’s good behaviour was also highlighted, as was the staff’s role in helping them to understand what is expected of them.

Inspector Smillie described the staff as “positive role models”.

“They demonstrate manners, how to be considerate of others and the importance of sharing and turn taking,” she said.

This was nursery manager Clare Sheridan’s first inspection in the role, although she as been at Casson Fold for around 12 years.

She said: “We’re really pleased with the report.

“The staff all worked really hard and worked as a team. That team also includes children and parents and carers.

“We have worked hard to have a bright and fun place to play and learn, and that was reflected in the report.”

Clare described the experience as “really positive” and said Inspector Smillie was “really kind and supportive”.

“She had good conversations with all the staff and some of the parents,” Clare added.

“We did a learning walk and joint observations which we both got he same observations from, which is good.

“The feedback from parents has been absolutely wonderful. We’ve had a few thank you and congratulations cards.”

Clare added that now they have a baseline, their next goal is to achieve an ‘outstanding’ rating next time around.