YMCA nurseries rated ‘good’ by Ofsted inspectors after first inspections
Two nurseries operated by YMCA Black Country Group have received “good” ratings in their first Ofsted inspections following recent visits.
YMCA Pelsall Lane Nursery in Rushall, Walsall, and YMCA City Gateway Nursery in Wolverhampton have both been rated as “good” for overall effectiveness after being assessed on a range of criteria, including the quality of education along with staff leadership.
Both reports highlighted the welcoming atmosphere for children, the positive feedback from parents and the quality of the development activities delivered by staff.
With 115 places the City Gateway Nursery registered with Ofsted in 2021 and employs 15 members of staff. The Pelsall Lane nursery, which registered the same year, has 56 places and nine employees.
Both nurseries are open every day between 8am and 6pm all year round except bank holidays and Christmas, to provide funded early education for children aged between two and four.
The report for YMCA Pelsall Lane Nursery said: “Children thoroughly enjoy their time in this vibrant, welcoming and inclusive nursery. The caring and nurturing staff build strong bonds with children, which helps children to feel safe and secure.
“Children arrive eager to start their day and quickly immerse themselves in their chosen play. Staff help children to develop a ‘can-do’ attitude and enjoy learning new skills.”
The YMCA City Gateway Nursery report said: “Babies are happy, settled and content. Staff provide plenty of praise and encouragement. Consequently, children have high levels of self-esteem. Children behave well. They show kindness towards each other.”
YMCA Black Country Group Chief Officer for Early Years, Helen Brown said: “We are pleased to see both YMCA Pelsall Lane Nursery and YMCA City Gateway Nursery receive such positive reports from Ofsted in their first ever inspections, reflecting the hard work by the management teams and staff to create the best possible environment for children and their families.
“The inspectors high standards at both nurseries and parents spoke well of their experiences, showing the progress both centres have made in their first three years since opening.
“Across all nine YMCA Black Country Group nurseries we provide a warm, happy, safe, and stimulating day care experience, where our children feel safe, secure, held in mind and value, so to have the progress at these two recent openings recognised by Ofsted means a great deal.”
This year the YMCA, the world’s largest and oldest charity working with young people and their communities, is celebrate its 180th anniversary. The Black Country charity, which has been operating since 1888, marked the landmark this month with a series of events.
With sites across the Black Country, today the YMCA provides a range of services including childcare, housing for young workers, supported accommodation, employability, health and social enterprises projects.
