South Shields nursery celebrates outstanding Ofsted report

Stanley’s has been rated as outstanding for the quality of care and learning it gives to children.

The centre, which is based at the Riverside Children’s Centre in South Shields, improved from a good rating four years ago to the highest rating, scoring top marks in every category.

Ofsted inspectors praised both staff and leaders for providing a safe, caring and challenging environment for two to four-year-olds.

The report said: “Staff are highly effective in meeting the individual needs, abilities and interests of all children. They use assessment information expertly to plan exciting activities to support children to make excellent progress in their learning.

“Partnership working with parents is exceptionally strong. There are highly successful strategies in place to positively engage with parents from a diverse range of backgrounds.

“Parents have absolute confidence that their child is kept safe and their well-being is paramount.”

Mum Verina Charlsworth, whose son Archie Milne has attended Stanley’s at Riverside since 2014, said: “Being a child with special needs, I was very wary of him going to any nursery, but since starting at Riverside he has become a different little boy with so much more confidence. His social skills are fantastic and that’s down to every member of staff here.

“I am so proud they have received an outstanding result from Ofsted. It’s nice to see they have been recognised for all their amazing and hard work.”

Councillor Joan Atkinson, lead member for children, families and young people, said: “This is an excellent result for Stanley’s at Riverside, which is brilliant news for the children in their care and their parents and carers.

“Giving our youngsters the very best start in life remains a key priority for the council, so it is particularly pleasing to see that our 
efforts to constantly innovate and improve are paying off.”