A Langho nursery where children are “happy and settled” has retained its good rating from Ofsted.

Conkers Day Nursery in Dewhurst Road was inspected on December 11, with the report published on January 16.

It also received good grades at its previous two inspections in 2018 and 2014.

Inspectors noted how staff were good role models for children and showed them how to use manners and take turns.

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Children are well supported to make progress, particularly in their social and communication skills, while older children are prompted by conversation starter cards on the dining table and hold lengthy conversations with staff and friends.

The report said: “Staff know children well and use this information to help plan interesting learning experiences both inside and in the large outdoor area. Children love to explore and use their imagination in the garden.

“Children enter the setting with confidence and find something they enjoy to play with. They are happy and settled.

“Staff are starting to help children identify their emotions and begin to consider other people’s feelings. For example, they help children create happy and sad faces outside with items they find in the garden.

“In the main, staff support children to follow good health and hygiene routines, such as regular hand washing and nose blowing.”

Inspectors did note, though, several instances which would have prevented the nursery from achieving the top result.

The report continued: “Staff do not always consistently support all children to understand rules and boundaries, and why they are in place. This occasionally leads to some children not following instructions or the setting rules.

“Staff do not always implement their training around health and hygiene in a fully effective way. For example, a baby’s bottle is left in the reach of other children. Although staff do move this before children can access it, this does not promote children’s hygiene in a consistent way. That said, leaders took immediate action to rectify this and support staff with their practice.”

The report also highlighted how children are exposed to a range of cultural traditions and learn about festive practices, with leaders having developed links with the local community to help children integrate with new people and understand their differences.

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As well, it noted that leaders and staff have formed good relationships with families, though systems to enable all parents to be fully involved with their child’s learning are not fully embedded, meaning some key areas of development are not supported consistently between the nursery and home.

Overall, Ofsted deemed the safeguarding arrangements for Conkers to be effective, saying leaders have a secure awareness of their responsibility in reporting and acting on child protection concerns.

Conkers has 69 children enrolled currently with space for up to 74. It was registered in 2002.