JUST ten months after opening its doors a Kendal nursery is celebrating top marks in its first Ofsted report.

Children, parents and staff from Sunnybrow at Castle Park had balloons flying after warm praise from Office of Standards in Education inspectors.

Manager Jane Faulkner explained that the town’s Sunnybrow Nursery extended its services to Castle Park in September last year and the early commendation had been a “fantastic boost”.

In a report just released inspectors said Castle Park was an “effective and inclusive nursery which respects and caters for all children’s unique and individual needs very well”.

It praised the manager and staff for “striving for excellence in all they do” and judged the relationship with parents and carers as outstanding.

Inspectors said the bright, colourful and imaginatively rescourced nursery, which children thoroughly enjoyed, was stimulating and friendly.

Mrs Faulkner said: “We are absolutely delighted. It’s a fantastic achievement for our first year and we’ve all worked hard for the recognition.

“Ofsted very rarely award an overall ‘outstanding’ rating in a school or nursery’s first year, so this is as good as it gets.”

Castle Park provides childcare for 35 two to 14 year-olds. Services include breakfast, after school and holiday clubs along with parent and toddler groups.

“We are dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate about what we do,” added Mrs Faulkner.

“Constantly striving for the best, we are reflective, resourceful, imaginative and creative, always ready to embrace challenges, new ideas and provide real-life experiences.

“And we are led by children’s interests. If that takes us to books about aliens in underpants, pirates or zoo animal themes, so be it!”