appleby’s magic garden nursery

Rory helped to celebrate the success of the Appleby Primary School Wrap-Around Care’s recent OFSTED inspection of it Magic Garden Nursery and Breakfast, After School and Holiday Clubs at the nursery on Saturday, where staff, parents, children and committee members thanked him for his sterling support during its initial stages and first year of operation. Rory met parents and children and chatted with supporters in the nursery’s garden, and was especially impressed with the ‘flip-flop’ organ of plastic drainage pipes.

He said: “It is wonderful to see the Magic Garden going from strength to strength, especially when there was so much uncertainty around its future last Summer. Gina and her staff and committee have turned this provision around to be a thriving nursery that provides local children with a great space to learn and grow. It absolutely deserves its ‘Oustanding’ marks from OFSTED and I am glad to have played a small part in its history.”

The nursery’s success has been credited to the dedication of its manager Gina Harper, her hard-working staff and the support of the new committee and parents, all of whom were thanked for helping to facilitate an extremely successful OFSTED report after just one year of operation.

Gina Harper said: “I am exceptionally proud of our  nursery. Our staff and committee have worked proactively throughout the year to achieve the excellent outcomes. Without Rory’s support we may not have been here to experience this day. Through his intervention these settings were able to get re-registration and continuing care provision despite the resignation of the previous committee in July 2010.”

Helen Gould Reddy, Chair of the Committee, said, “ An unscheduled inspection carried out by OFSTED Inspectors at the Magic Garden Nursery in the grounds of Appleby Primary School found the quality of the provision to be ‘Outstanding’, the  highest accolade given by OFSTED, in eleven of  fifteen categories and ‘Good’ in all other criteria. The inspectors were pleased with the outcomes for the children who ‘truly benefit from the excellent care, activities and play opportunities made available to them.’ They were particularly delighted by the ‘excellent outdoor garden where children access innovative materials and equipment like, for example, the musical drainpipes.'”

Emma Wilson, a parent and Appleby resident, remarked: “This is my second child to come to the nursery and I am extremely happy with the education and level of care that Gina, Faye and the other staff give to my children, and how much fun they have.”

OFSTED write in their report: “Children are happy and confident individuals who know the routine and have an excellent relationship with the staff. During their time spent in the pre-school they are exceptionally well supported by highly skilled, early years practitioners. The quality of the provision and the outcomes for childcare in the Early Years Foundation Stage are Outstanding.”

Picture attached. Caption: Rory Stewart MP with Gina Harper (left) and Helen Gould Reddy (right) celebrate Magic Garden’s outstanding OFSTED report.

 

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