Of the ten settings comprising the Elmscot group, five of them have been found ‘outstanding’ in every area by Ofsted. Woodlands gained this in 2009, making us one of the best settings in England—this standard is achieved by fewer than 9% of school and private nurseries nationwide.
The quality of the childcare we offer is our utmost priority and everything we do, we do with quality in mind. Parents views are encouraged and formally sought via regular Quality Surveys and news e-bulletins. Since Elmscot opened in 2001 we have been accredited as an Investor In People and achieved Quality Counts accreditation: a quality scheme accredited by Investors in Children and run by the National Day Nurseries Association. Woodlands achieved the NDNA Quality Counts Award at the highest level possible: one of only 2 settings in Trafford at the time. Both nurseries have also achieved the Trafford Inclusion Stamp, recognising our commitment to providing an all inclusive practice within our settings. Most recently, both nurseries were awarded the Trafford Healthy Setting Award, the first in Trafford to achieve this high standard of nutrition and physical well-being.
All settings have achieved the highest '5' grading by Trafford Environmental Health.
Currently, all settings have adopted Trafford’s new QIT (Quality in Trafford) scheme, supported by Trafford CYPS. QIT encourages settings to be reflective about their practice. Observations of practice are carried out internally and by local authority officers. It looks for positive practice as well identifying next steps for the development of practice.
External audit is important to us as a sounding board for our ideas, and for confirmation that our provision is of the high standard we expect it to be both as professional practitioners and as parents. It gives parents confidence in the quality of service we provide.
Elmscot:
2002:1 of 20 national semi-finalists in the nation-wide new business Start-up Stars award scheme run by HSBC Bank, Sky News and the Daily Express
2003: Finalist in the UK Nursery Management Today Awards in 2 categories (Best New Business and Best Nursery Manager).
2004: Trafford Food Safety Award, Trafford Tots Healthy Eating Award
2005: Elmscot awarded the prestigious National Day Nursery Association's 'Quality Counts' Award
2007: National Clean Air Award
2008: First in Trafford to achieve the new 'Inclusion Stamp', along with Woodlands.
2010: Healthy Setting Award
Woodlands:
2007: First Day Nursery in Trafford to be awarded the new 'Inclusion Stamp'. This award demonstrates our commitment to equal opportunities, recognising how all children are valued and welcome at our nurseries.
2007: National Clean Air Award
2007:Trafford Tots Healthy Eating Award
2008: NDNA 'Quality Counts' Award at Level 3. This is exceptional, and places Woodlands in the top 20% of Day Nurseries achieving this award, and assures its place as one of the best Day Nurseries in the country. For more information, please see www.ndna.org.uk.
2009: Woodlands found to be 'Outstanding' during a routine, unannounced Ofsted inspection, placing it in the top 5% of private Day Nurseries nationally. The inspector found that "The excellent facilities, wide ranging resources and experienced staff provide and maintain exceptional provision for all the children." She went on to say, "Expert teaching ensures children learn and develop to the best of their ability, and general welfare requirements are very well managed. Children benefit tremendously from having a superb outside play area. Children arrive excited and eager to experience the wide range of activities in all the rooms. Behaviour is exemplary; children’s self-esteem is optimised." Since then, Oftsed have visited Woodlands again, seeking examples of 'best practice' to publish in an advice booklet for other providers.
2009: Woodlands was a 'Highly Commended' top three finalist in the national Nursery World Awards, in the Best Nursery Food category, recognising our commitment to locally sourced, fresh nutritious food and our approach to the education of young children in healthy eating.
2010: Healthy Setting Award
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