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Highbury Lodge declared four times ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted

There was cause for celebration at Highbury Lodge Day Nursery in Hitchin as proud parents and practitioners learnt that the setting had achieved Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ status for the fourth time running, following an inspection in October.
An outcome achieved by only ten percent of all English Early Years providers, the inspector praised the “expert support” from devoted staff, who “make the most of every learning opportunity, even when these are spontaneous and unplanned”, adding that “children of all ages remain thoroughly engrossed in the motivating and interesting activities on offer”.
In the report, the inspector credited the emphasis on language development at the Highbury Road setting, noting “communication is at the heart of everything staff do”, with teams speaking “clearly and articulately” to children through “natural and instinctive” interactions, resulting in them progressing “rapidly” and “learning new vocabulary frequently”.
Relationships were also admired by the inspector, who observed, “the well-being of staff and the families who attend the setting is paramount to the dedicated leadership team”, who recognise the challenges being faced by both and “respond to these with immense compassion”, with added support for parents to build on children’s learning at home.
Ofsted inspector, Jenny Hardy observed;
“Children thrive at this welcoming nursery. They settle quickly, benefiting from the tailored settling-in process and calm surroundings that staff create for them. They form strong bonds with the whole staff team, demonstrating that they trust all staff who interact with them.”
“Leaders and managers are passionate about the nursery and have a clear vision for driving the nursery forwards even more. They network with other professionals and volunteer to participate in programmes to lead the way in the early years sector. Leaders are highly reflective and respond promptly to any concerns raised. They revisit organisational policies and procedures to ensure that they are as robust as possible and support the well-being of all children”, she added.
Highbury Lodge Day Nursery Manager, Kirsty Rose explained;
“We’re over the moon to have received this judgement from Ofsted once again. We are committed to providing the highest standard of early education and care and ensuring that each child’s unique needs are met in a fun and inclusive manner. We strive to foster a love of learning, helping our little ones develop essential skills and preparing them for the future.”
“None of this would have been possible without our incredible nursery families and children, who bring such joy and enthusiasm to the setting every day. Their limitless curiosity and infectious laughter inspire us to continue providing the best possible outcomes”, she added.
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