A HEREFORD nursery has been rated outstanding by Ofsted and was told its staff plan thoroughly based on each child's individual needs.

Beech House Nursery School was inspected under Ofsted's new framework, meaning to be achieve the coveted 'outstanding' rating in all areas, the inspect must identify no areas of weakness.

The inspector, who visited on November 13, found the Hampton Park Road nursery has a warm and caring ethos and children are placed securely in the heart of staff practice.

"Staff have an excellent knowledge of the curriculum," the report added.

"They know children extremely well. Staff make regular assessments of what children know and can do. They make highly effective use of these to plan meticulously for children's individual needs and interests.

"Staff provide innovative play experiences to help children develop a deep understanding of diversity within their community and an awareness of what makes them unique."

The inspector added in their report that children's behaviour is exemplary and staff have excellent knowledge of safeguarding procedures.

Executive headteacher Rachel Marshall said: "We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of our OfSTED inspection.

"We certainly noticed a change in rigour from previous inspections, and feel we thoroughly deserve the accolade of outstanding.

"Each and every one of our staff members put the children and families at the heart of what we do at Beech House, always striving to be 'even better tomorrow' and we are delighted that this was recognised by the inspector."

The nursery opened in November 2013, and was rated as outstanding by Ofsted in its first inspection.

It was then registered as a limited company in 2017 and this is the first inspection since that change took place.