ALTON College is celebrating an Outstanding Ofsted grade following an inspection of its nursery during the summer.

The inspector described the nursery, which was previously graded Outstanding in 2011, as having “a highly stimulating environment, both indoors and out”.

The report states that the children are “very independent and develop extremely well”, they make “excellent progress” and that “excellent support” is provided for children moving on to school.

Textiles teacher Gayle Bicknell has used the nursery for the past two years.

“Having adopted my son from Africa and having been through the very lengthy process that is involved in this, I was understandably concerned about sending him to nursery,” she said.

“I needn’t have worried at all. He has flourished in this amazing environment. He has been truly nurtured and over the last two years has developed from toddler into a confident, determined and kind little boy. I know that this wonderful place has been instrumental in helping him.”

Nursery manager Barbara Wills said she and her team were delighted by the news.

“We are very pleased we have received our second Outstanding Ofsted report, our dedicated and specialist staff work very hard and the report certainly reflects this,” she said.

To mark the occasion, children and staff from the nursery were treated to a special trip on Alton College’s liveried Stagecoach bus.

Mrs Wills said this was the first time some of the children had ever been on a bus.

“It was brilliant to celebrate our outstanding news with a little trip on the college Stagecoach bus, the children loved it,” she added.

Alton College Nursery opened in 2009. It provides day care for children aged six months to five years of staff, students and local families. It is open 8.30-5.30pm daily in term time.