STAFF at a day nursery in Basingstoke are celebrating after receiving an ‘outstanding’ rating during its first ever Ofsted inspection.

Alphabet City Day Nursery Falconhurst, in Cliddesden Road was marked outstanding across all areas by inspectors following their visit on August 1.

Ofsted Inspector Helen Robinshaw saw first-hand how Alphabet City’s ethos of offering a homely environment in which children can learn is being put into practice.

The report noted how the staff adopted different teaching methods to best keep the children engaged.

The report said: “Staff create dynamic, visually appealing, and purposeful learning environments where they nurture children’s growing abilities to discover.

“Staff quickly recognise when children are being like ‘curious camels’ or ‘fascinated frogs’ and vary their teaching style to make learning even more enjoyable.”

The report added: “Children of all ages form exceptionally warm and secure relationships with key staff and their room teams.”

Mrs Robinshaw said that Alphabet City is “an inspirational nursery” and that the staff work effectively to get the best out of the children who use the facilities.

Alphabet City in Cliddesden Road was opened by Kiran Johal in April 2014, with the idea of creating a home from home for the children.

The 23 members of staff at the Cliddesden Road nursery are overseen by nursery manager, Kirsti Campbell who has been in the role since January 2015.

Ms Campbell said: “There’s no other words to use, I’m so proud of my team.

“I didn’t expect to get an outstanding on our first visit, we were only doing the best we could do.

“I’ve only ever heard of one other nursery to receive outstanding first time.”

Currently the nursery has 83 children on its roll and the report noted they were all “enthusiastic learners.”

Mrs Robinshaw’s report added: “Parents commend staff for preparing them and their children extremely well for school.”