Three of the settings – in Tottington, Whitefield and Walmersley – have gained consecutive outstanding grades, while the group’s newest nursery, in Dumers Lane, celebrated getting the top grade after only opening last September.
All of the chain’s five nurseries are based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The family-owned business puts its achievements down to making the well-being of their children the number one priority and employing staff who have a loving approach to childcare.
John and Sue Robinson opened the original Tottington Nursery School in September 1990, which has always had the highest grade possible from the inspectorate.
The success of the chain has meant it is now run by their three children Jo, Paul and Andy, who are all qualified in childcare.
Now known as Mulberry Bush Nursery in Tottington, the setting was inspected on 6 January and Ofsted praised staff’s meticulous record keeping. The report said, ‘Teaching is consistently outstanding. Children are exceptionally well prepared for their next steps in learning. Their progress is monitored meticulously, so that any emerging gaps in learning can be addressed at the earliest opportunity.’
The second inspection took place at Mulberry Bush Nursery in Whitefield on 15 January and inspector Julie S. Kelly reported, ‘Key persons are exceptionally skilled and sensitive and help babies and children to successfully form strong emotional attachments and feel very secure within the nursery. They have a superb knowledge and understanding of the children that they care for, which has an extremely positive impact on their physical and emotional wellbeing.’
The newest setting on Dumers Lane was inspected two weeks later on 28 January and the inspector noted the staff partnership working with parents as creating a consistency for the children.
The report said, ‘Children are very confident and motivated in this nursery. They thrive in the well planned and stimulating areas, both indoors and outdoors. Children’s behaviour is excellent. Staff share their high expectations with parents and this consistent approach helps children to clearly understand what is expected of them.’
Mulberry Bush Nursery in Walmersley was inspected on 10 February. Inspector Jennifer Kennaugh said, ‘Babies are provided with a wealth of activities from when they are able to stand, which help them to develop the manipulative skills and strength needed to use simple tools. There is a very strong emphasis on developing babies’ and children’s communication skills from their earliest attendance, which underpins their very rapid progress in other areas of learning.’
The fifth Mulberry Bush nursery is located in Walshaw and gained its outstanding in December 2013.
