A NURSERY called Little Acorns is sowing seeds leading to its children making good progress in their learning, schools' inspectors found.

The nursery had been run in Burnley College since 1991 in a purpose-built nursery with children of full-time students given priority over places.

Ofsted inspectors found it to be a 'very good nursery' and said: "An excellent range of stimulating and interesting activities ensures children make good progress towards achieving early learning goals in all the areas of learning and excellent progress in communication, language and literacy. Children's behaviour is very good as they enjoy participating with enthusiasm in the activities provides sharing with adults and other children.

"Good teaching which is often outstanding very successfully ensures children make good progress in their learning."

Nursery manager Jane Hamer said: "Staff are thrilled with the report, all thanks go to them as they worked incredibly hard to prepare for this important inspection.

"We had the inspection in December with only three months to prepare after new guidelines were implemented in September so this is very good indeed."

Since the nursery was last inspected the staff have implemented assessment procedures described by inspectors as 'excellent'.

"These include records of achievement and progress records to clearly reflect children's achievements based on very effective learning," they said.

"Children are very aware of the association of sounds with syllables and words as they identify rhyming works and explain this means 'sounds the same'."

Inspectors outlined six areas where the nursery does well including working closely with parents, effectively using a range of good quality resources to support learning and promoting curiosity, interest and enthusiasm for learning.

Little Acorns is advised to improve planning for smaller groups to allow active participation for all children in practical activities to avoid waiting a long time for their turn.

College Principal John Smith said: "The nursery is a key resource for Burnley College as it provides an essential support to our students.

"The Ofsted report was outstanding and all credit goes to Jane and her team for their professionalism and dedication. Our students can be assured of our continued commitment to their own and their children's educational needs."