An "impeccable" nursery in a Saddleworth village is celebrating receiving a glowing report from the education watchdog.

Swan Meadow Cottage Day Nursery on Slackcote Lane in Delph which looks after youngsters from babies up to four years old has been graded "outstanding" once again by regulator Ofsted.

After visiting the premises in June this year, inspector Rachel Waterhouse had a lot of praise for the setting.

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Ms Waterhouse said children "excel" in learning and play "with wonder and awe in this impeccable nursery setting".

"Children's lives are enriched from the start", she said as she observed babies babbling, giggling and reaching for bubbles during their daily "wondrous session" and "showing their true happiness and contentment in the Swan Meadow family".

Meanwhile, the older children benefit from the nursery's natural environment outdoors where they climb, explore, investigate and work with the Wildlife Trust to care for animals.

Youngsters at the nursery are kept active, with their health and physical wellbeing "promoted constantly through yoga and breathing sessions and dance shows in the outdoor amphitheatre.

Ms Waterhouse said the classes boost the children's confidence and that they "beam with pride" during performances.

When it came to their behaviour, she also said the youngsters have a "positive learning attitude", "exceptional" manners and "show high levels of respect for each other".

A shining example of this was observed by the inspector when children recognised their friends with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) needed a little longer before joining in with circle time and waited patiently for them.

Then complimenting the staff, the inspector said the team "use their passion" to help the children that they know "exceptionally well", while leaders have "immense pride and ambition".

The "well-sequenced" curriculum, which has been planned with leaders, staff and parents' input, helps the children to "thrive from the start" and make "exceptional progress".

Staff also "tailor their teaching exceptionally well" for the benefit of their pupils and "ambitiously" extend each child's learning.

Communication and language skills were further highlighted as a key strength at the nursery as children of all ages are exposed to a wide range of songs, sounds and words "modelled by the highly skilled staff team".

In turn, the children "hold meaningful conversations" and have an enhanced vocabulary. 

But even beyond the curriculum, the inspector found the children's learning continues outside of the walls of the nursery as they participate in community events.

The youngsters made their own musical instruments to match in the "Whit Walks" parade and a brass band even visited the nursery for a special visit.

Ofsted also described a well-organised environment inside Swan Meadow, having found daily routines to run "seamless" which makes the children "consistently happy" all day long. 

Parents told the inspector that they receive "first-rate support", feel valued by staff and leaders and get frequent insight into their children's day at nursery in social events and stay-and-play sessions such as "chill and grill" for Father's Day.

In addition, opportunities for children with SEND are "seamlessly tailored" to accommodate their pace and ability, ensuring that they are fully included in all aspects of the nursery.

"Consequently, children with SEND are extremely happy and acquire lots of new skills", the report added.

And the report revealed the nursery has such exceptional standards that local training providers and apprentices come to visit to learn from the "outstanding" staff.

Celebrating its flawless inspection, the senior management team at the nursery said it is "so pleased" with the report and "immensely proud" of its staff.

In a statement, managers said: "Our nursery has a truly distinctive outdoor environment encompassing wildlife boardwalks, interconnecting tree houses, and a wooden amphitheatre. 

"Our sister nursery in the village of Delph was also graded 'outstanding' during their inspection in February.

"We are so proud of our whole team, and its dedication and progressive attitude that we maintain in educating and caring for all of our children."

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