Top marks for college nursery

A children’s nursery at a campus belonging to Derby College Group is celebrating after being rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted inspectors.

The inspection team’s report highlights key strengths at the Little Explorers Nursery, which was the county’s first Forest School when it opened in 2011 at the college’s Broomfield Hall campus.

The report is particularly complimentary about the quality of teaching and how the team skilfully take every opportunity to “challenge and stretch” the children’s knowledge and skills.

The nursery employs 17 members of staff, including those who have trained and qualified through the college, and has 85 children enrolled ranging from young babies to older children.

Mandie Stravino, chief executive of Derby College Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the findings of the Ofsted inspection, and I heartedly congratulate all our dedicated team involved within Little Explorers on this well-deserved praise.

“Little Explorers encompasses the ethos of the whole college – providing a high-quality education and environment, which prepares the children here, and the students elsewhere in the college, for the next stage in their lives.”