Huddersfield-based Harlequin Nursery has been judged Outstanding in every category by Ofsted for a third consecutive time.
Based on Halifax Road in Edgerton, Harlequin Nursery was visited by Ofsted in July 2022 and has been classified as Outstanding since 2011.
The Ofsted Outstanding rating is the highest that can be awarded by an Ofsted inspector and is given only when there is exceptional childcare and education that greatly exceeds national standards.
Harlequin Nursery is the second setting in the Portland Nurseries Group to be awarded three consecutive Outstanding ratings by Ofsted, after Portland House Nursery in Lindley achieved the same honour in 2018.
Portland Nurseries Group also owns Oakwood House Nursery & Forest School in Edgerton, Holly Bank Nursery in Birkby and the newly-acquired Bradley House Nursery at Bradley Bar.
The Ofsted inspector’s report said: “Children become confident learners at this nurturing and inspiring nursery. They make excellent progress as they explore and play in the safe and well-resourced environment.”
The inspectors also observed that:
- Children learn about nature as they play;
- Staff get to know children extremely well;
- Children are well supported in developing their thinking skills;
- Children develop their independence skills across the nursery;
- Parents receive updates about their children’s development through an online app;
- Staff have high ambitions for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND);
- Leaders and managers continuously plan for improvement.
Joint manging director Anastasia Murphy said: “This is a terrific achievement for the nursery and one which we are very proud of.
“I am delighted for all the staff at Harlequin and across the company who work tirelessly supporting each other to achieve the best possible standards of education for the children in our care.
“For the past 31 years we have invested heavily in staff training and we constantly strive to be at the forefront of the best practices in childcare.
“We set our standards very high and it is wonderful that this dedication and hard work has been recognised once again.
“However, we are not going to rest on our laurels and we are already working on ways to improve even further across all our settings.”
