We are beyond proud to announce that The Cottage Day Nursery in Heanor has officially been rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted!
This achievement is a reflection of years of passion, development, and daily excellence. It recognises the creativity, commitment, and care that goes into every single moment of life at our nursery—and most importantly, the unwavering focus on what truly matters: the children.
The Ofsted report opens with one of the truest reflections of our setting:
“Children are happy and settled. The inspiring and ambitious curriculum is well embedded by staff and effectively supports children’s learning.”
The inspector praised the tailored teaching, rich learning environments, and the way children of all ages are motivated, curious, and excited to engage in the experiences around them.
From interactive group time to real-life role play, children thrive at The Cottage because learning is joyful, immersive, and meaningful.
“Children relish sensory experiences… Children immerse themselves in imaginative play. They show enthusiasm, curiosity and engagement in all they do.”
We spoke to Bridget, our wonderful manager, to hear how it all unfolded—from the moment the call came in to the celebrations that followed.
“We were actually excited when we got the call!”
“I told the inspector we’d been looking forward to it—which I think caught her off guard! But truly, we’d been ready for this for a long time. Everything we’ve worked on—every bit of training, reflection, and change—it’s all been embedded into daily practice, and we were proud to share that.”
There were a few natural nerves, especially for team members who hadn’t been through an inspection before. But Bridget says the mood that morning was one of calm confidence.
“Everyone was upbeat. We weren’t putting on a show—we were just showing them what we do every single day.”
One of the moments that really impressed the inspector happened during a joint observation with Cara and Elyse, two of our skilled, outstanding practitioners. The session showcased the nursery’s ongoing work around sensory storytelling—an approach inspired by Neil Griffiths training and recent Nursery World Show seminars.
“We’ve moved away from just reading a story to living it,” Bridget explains. “Stories become experiences. They’re interactive, sensory, and filled with opportunities for language and understanding.”
During the observation, Cara and Elyse led the children through the rhyme “I Have a Little Turtle.” As they sang:
“Even our youngest children were completely captivated,” Bridget says. “They weren’t just saying ‘bubble’—they were seeing bubbles, feeling the mist, watching the turtle splash. It helped them connect the language to something real and exciting.”
The inspector praised this moment not only for its creativity and sensory richness but for how deeply embedded these techniques were in everyday practice—not just saved for special occasions.
“Staff bring the songs to life...even the youngest children take on the language and develop a deeper understanding.”
Throughout the report, there’s strong praise for how our team builds children’s communication skills. Whether through songs, open-ended questions, or hands-on exploration, the language environment is rich and inclusive.
“Staff model a wide range of rich vocabulary and weave language into all aspects of learning.”
The inspector also noted how children are empowered to do things for themselves—from handling crockery and tableware safely, to learning how to use real tools like knives, pestle and mortars, and even pasta machines!
“Children develop excellent independence skills and confidently use authentic resources in role play.”
Parents play an active role in our setting, and Ofsted praised the way our team communicates and collaborates with families.
From story sacks, sensory take-home activities, and support with toilet training, the setting shares ideas that allow learning to continue at home.
“Parents say they understand the goals their children are working towards and appreciate the home learning ideas they receive.”
When the inspector delivered the final verdict, Bridget says it took a moment to truly sink in.
“Hearing the word ‘Outstanding’ was surreal. We’ve been working towards this for years. So when the inspector said it, I was honestly in shock.”
And then came the dream, that haunted Bridget until the draft report was firmly in her hands!
“That night, I actually had a dream that I’d misheard her! I panicked thinking I’d told the proprietors and the other nursery managers we were Outstanding… and what if we weren’t?! I didn’t fully relax until I saw the draft report with the word right there in front of me!”
Bridget laughs about it now, but says the joy in the nursery was unforgettable.
“The whole team were buzzing. It’s a real testament to their passion, their resilience, and their commitment to always doing what’s best for our children.”
Bridget is full of praise for her team, and it’s clear that the Outstanding result is as much about people as it is about process.
“I’m just so incredibly proud of them. It’s not always easy, and Emma (our deputy) and I are here to guide and support—but it’s the team who make the difference. They’re motivated, reflective, and they believe in what they’re doing. You can be a good leader, but without a team who genuinely care and give 100%, you won’t achieve this level. They absolutely deserve this recognition.”
Plans are already in motion for a celebratory team meal, but as Bridget puts it:
“Every day is an Ofsted day. What the inspector saw was what we do every day—and to know that is recognised as outstanding practice is what makes this job so rewarding.”
To our families, our children, and the incredible team at Heanor—thank you. This Outstanding rating belongs to you all.
We’ll continue doing what we do best: offering rich, exciting, meaningful early years experiences that help children thrive.
