Haverhill day nursery 'delighted' with it's first Ofsted inspection outcome

A Haverhill day nursery that came under new ownership two years ago has received an impressive first report from Ofsted.

Golden Apples Day Nursery (formerly Dizzy Ducks) in Homefield Road was taken over by Eve and Ray Wheeler in October 2017.

Ofsted visited on November 14 and has rated its overall effectiveness as ‘good’, giving the same rating to all four sub categories; quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management.

The nursery’s manager, Vicky Moody, said the outcome was even more pleasing given that it was one of the first to be inspected under the new, more ‘rigorous’ Ofsted framework.

She added: “Ofsted has completely moved away from how they used to assess providers in the past by raising the bar and expecting consistent excellent outcomes at all times. The inspection is very demanding, vigorous and there are more criteria that providers must consistently meet to achieve a good or an outstanding outcome.

“Given our recent entry into the childcare market and being at the start of the new framework where both the Ofsted inspectors and providers are still learning and adjusting to the new framework, I am very pleased and proud of our inspection outcome, with only two minor recommendations needed to become an outstanding provider.

“I am extremely proud and humbled to be part of an incredible and passionate team that consistently meet the needs of the children in our care.

“We are over the moon with the glowing Ofsted report as it reflects all the hard work we pride ourselves on here at Golden Apples as we teach and nurture the children to have the best start in life.

“To quote the inspector, she said ‘I am very pleased with how the children flourish in this nursery and if there was a higher good grading I would not hesitate to give it’.”