A BASINGSTOKE nursery is having a double dose of celebrations this month after achieving a “good” rating from Ofsted in its 20th year of teaching.

Members of The Hatchlings Nursery School, in Worting Road, were over the moon to help the school retain its ‘good’ rating in its 20-year anniversary year.

Ofsted visited the nursery in October and inspector Helen Robinshaw found staff to be “skilled at devising learning-rich activities for children of all ages” and children were “keen to learn and develop good basic skills”.

In the report published in November, it said: “Experienced and well-qualified staff are good at delivering a wide range of opportunities for children to play and learn.

“They encourage older children to learn to listen attentively, communicate kingly and express their views with confidence.”

It added: “Staff know the children in their care very well and work closely with their parents to help children settle in.

“Children are happy and actively engaged in purposeful play and exploration throughout the day.

“Staff plan and provide new experiences which capture even the youngest children’s enthusiasm for trying new things.”

The nursery’s last inspection was in November 2013.

Ofsted grades schools in four categories – outstanding, good, requiring improvement and inadequate – depending the competency shown by the organisation.

Elizabeth Sudlow, owner of The Hatchlings Nursery School, said: “We were so pleased.

“Sometimes you can dread these sort of inspections, but it was lovely and went swimmingly.

“The inspector was impressed with our staff. The staff have been here for years and years and it really offers continuity to the parents. They know when their children come here they will be looked after.

“The feedback was amazing.”

She added: “Debbie Nash, our manager, has been with us for nearly 20 years and it’s amazing to think we have been here for that long is incredible.

“We can’t believe it, it’s gone so quickly.

“It’s nice and is a testament to how our nursery affects the children who come here.

“We give them fond memories.”