STAFF at a 'bright and engaging' nursery where 'children radiate happiness' are celebrating after it was rated 'Good' by Ofsted.

The education watchdog recently published its report of the inspection it carried out of Sunrise Nursery at the Over Children's Centre in Winsford on October 7.

In the nursery's first inspection after the Covid-19 pandemic, the passion of the manager and staff and the broad curriculum offered to the children were two key highlights of the report.

Alana Wilding, the learning and development manager at the Ludlow Close nursery, was delighted with the outcome.

She said: "It's a fantastic achievement. It's a testament to the staff and the team. I've only been with the company since January and to get that outcome is amazing.

"For me, Sunrise and the staff care about the children. Everything goes back into the nursery for the children.

"We work hard, not just with them, but with their families as well. We are most definitely a community nursery.

"The fact the practitioners know their children, their interests and their families so well is just amazing.

"We want to give them the best start they could possibly have. To have somewhere they can feel so loved and cared for, and where they can laugh, is the most important thing.

"We want them to be happy while they are with us."

In her report, Ofsted inspector Marianne McDowell said: "Children radiate happiness at this bright and engaging setting.

"Staff are nurturing and supportive, and children quickly build warm and trusting relationships with them.

"Staff support children to build upon what they already know and can do and have high expectations for their progress. 

"Children display positive attitudes to learning and behave well. Leaders provide children with opportunities to experience awe and wonder every day.

"Staff are skilled at extending conversation and building vocabulary. These quality interactions help children to develop their imagination and extend their thinking.

"Children enjoy exploring in the local area and eagerly await their visits to the assisted living home.

"They paint pictures for the residents, sing familiar songs and dance together. This intergenerational learning helps children to develop confidence and a growing understanding of the world around them.

"Staff excel at teaching children to learn to recognise and celebrate each other's differences in an age-appropriate way."