Proud practitioners and parents at Grasshoppers Day Nursery in St Albans are celebrating after being rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted for the second consecutive time. 

Following an inspection in February the inspector praised the "exemplary" quality of teaching "across the whole staff team".

Staff were described as “wonderful role models” who deliver a “highly effective and ambitious curriculum” to children who “demonstrate extremely high levels of interest, perseverance and deep engagement.”

In the report, the inspector credited children’s behaviour, interactions with staff and personal, social and emotional development as “excellent”, with relationships built between children and their key person observed as “exceptional”.

Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities was also commended, with the nursery manager and staff team praised for their commitment to providing the “best possible care and education to secure future success”, as well as “excellent opportunities” for parents to work alongside staff and opportunities to discuss progress and achievements.

“The manager supports her staff team to implement a curriculum that focuses on individual children," the inspector wrote.

"It is planned, sequenced and securely embedded across all areas of learning. Children thrive in this welcoming, highly motivating and inclusive environment. They develop extremely positive attitudes to their play and learning.”

“Opportunities for children to learn outdoors are extremely good. They explore a superb range of resources, which enhances their physical development. Staff arrange outings, and introduce children to important members of their society, such as the elderly and librarians.

"They learn about foodbanks and practise eco-friendly ideas, such as walking to nursery. This helps to broaden children's knowledge and experiences."

Grasshoppers Day Nursery manager Claire Greaves said; “We are thrilled to announce that our nursery has once again received an outstanding judgement from Ofsted.

"We are incredibly proud of this achievement, which reflects our commitment to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment where every child can flourish. We are hugely grateful to our nursery families for their support and our colleagues for their unwavering commitment to excellence, without them this would not be possible.”