Morpeth Nursery wins praise in Ofsted report

Jul 11 2009 by Nicola Juncar, The Journal

A NORTHUMBERLAND nursery, forced to move premises in last autumn’s floods, finally has something worth celebrating.

Goosehill Nursery in Morpeth has achieved the highest rating possible from government Ofsted inspectors, who declared it “outstanding in all areas”.

The nursery is delighted with the accolade as it follows a difficult time for both the staff and children.

The nursery, which looks after more than 60 children aged from four months to five years old, has temporarily relocated to accommodation at Choppington’s Sure Start centre.

Despite their unfamiliar surroundings, lack of equipment and general uncertainty, the nursery has managed to maintain its excellent levels of education and stability.

Headteacher Amanda Willis said: “When we saw the mess the nursery was in after the flooding, our hearts sank.

“However, everyone pulled together and within a week we were up and running in Choppington.”

The move involved not only finding new accommodation and equipment but also arranging transport for those children whose parents were unable to take them to and from nursery.

The report states: “Given the nursery’s recent upheaval, these excellent relationships with parents have been vital in ensuring minimum disruption and upset to the children in their care.”

To help the children readjust to the pending move, they visited their allotment close to the riverside at Morpeth.

“The children were so excited to be going back to the allotment and really enjoyed the experience,” said Amanda.

Goosehill Private Nursery will relocate back to Morpeth in the near future.