A NURSERY has lived up to its name after securing a rare outstanding rating from Ofsted.

First Class Day Nursery, in High Road, Benfleet, has turned itself around in the past six months, after being branded “inadequate” during an inspection just before Christmas.

Ofsted was called in suddenly after an allegation was made against a member of staff, and inspectors went on to find workers did not have good safeguarding knowledge or raise child safety concerns correctly.

However, First Class, which has 185 youngsters on its roll and employs 41 members of staff, is now ranked as one of the best nurseries in the country.

In an Ofsted report released yesterday, the nursery was praised for its “robust” safeguarding procedures.

Inspectors also found: ! Staff are well informed and aware of their responsibilities towards child protection ! Children excel in their learning because staff provide a very good range of resources and inspiring learning resources ! Children are confident, independent and good at communicating ! Effective procedures are in place to help newadditions settle into the nursery ! Parents are actively encouraged to help plan their child’s next steps in learning Themanagement team at First Class, which first opened in 2006, was described as “inspirational”

for encouraging staff to achieve and celebrate success.

Ofsted inspector Claire Parnell said: “Following the last inspection, management have scrutinised safeguarding procedures and extended staff’s knowledge of how to promote children’s welfare.

This results in the safeguarding of children becoming central to everything staff do.

“Staff take health and safety extremely seriously, and provide a very safe and secure environment for children’s play.

“Management, staff, parents and children play an active role in making changes to, and evaluating, the effectiveness of practice, in the pursuit for excellence.”

Sharon Goate, director of the nursery, added: “We are extremely proud of all our staff, children and their families and are overjoyed that the inspector recognised the exceptional quality and exemplary practice in the setting.”