'Outstanding' rating for nursery that survived cuts

The nursery staff have been praised for inspiring the children they look after

A nursery which was saved from closure following a campaign by parents has again been rated "outstanding" by Ofsted inspectors.

In March, 100 families who used the University of Bradford nursery were told it would have to close to help the institution save at least £13m.

It was due to shut at the end of July, but more than 1,000 people signed a petition and, following a consultation, it was kept open.

Now an Ofsted report has praised the "devoted, calming and nurturing staff" who "inspire children to become social, confident and curious learners".

The nursery's rating was upgraded from "inadequate" to "outstanding" following a previous inspection in 2019.

The latest report has highlighted the university's "highly inclusive setting" as well as its "exemplary" support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, for which the nursery has won several awards.

Nursery manager Rochelle Smith said her staff were "incredibly proud" of the rating which they had worked hard for over the last five years.

Ms Smith said: "We are like a family and I think we've built that up over a period of time.

"Families and children do come and go and so do staff, but we maintain the fact that we are one big community.

"It's not just a nursery, we are there to support the community as well."

The future of the nursery was under threat as part of university cost-cutting measures

The nursery was established in 1992 for staff and students at the university and later expanded to serve the wider community.

All three of the city's MPs backed the campaign to save it.

Half of the current parents who use the facility are members of the public, while 34% are students and 16% are university employees.

Ms Smith added: "I think the Ofsted outstanding just proves how essential the nursery is not only to the local community but for the university staff and students as well."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.