Suffield Park Nursery, Cromer gets outstanding Ofsted rating

Education watchdog Ofsted gave Suffield Park Nursery its top rating following an inspection in October. 

Hayley Powell, nursery manager, said she was delighted with the accolade. 

Hayley Powell, manager at Suffield Park Nursery in Cromer, which has just been rated Outstanding by Ofsted. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mrs Powell said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the outcome of our inspection and I am so proud of my team and the children.  

“I know we have fantastic, hard-working staff and the most incredible little people here in Cromer but having this affirmed by Ofsted means to world to us all.

Suffield Park Nursery staff are, from left, Hayley Powell, Lynsey Steers and Laura Girling with youngsters Harley, Elijah, Zachary, Annabelle, Ashton and Hamish. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

“The inspector shared that this was the easiest 'outstanding' she had ever given and commented that it is particularly difficult to achieve in a nursery of our size.”

The nursery opened in 1968 and underwent a large expansion in 2006. In 2019 it took in more youngsters after the closure of Seaview Pre-School in Cromer’s North Lodge Park.

It has 25 staff, and caters for about 130 children in its regular groups, from babies up to age four. The nursery accommodates yet more children up to age seven in its breakfast, after-school and holiday provision, and is open 48 weeks a year.

Ashleigh Paice-Brown at Suffield Park Nursery with youngsters Annabelle, Archie and Bayleigh (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mrs Powell said the rating came at a time of “serious challenge” for the nursery, and the early years’ care sector as a whole.

She said: “Significant underfunding from the government has led us into financial difficulty ourselves and has led to the sad closure of a growing number of early years settings in the county.  

Lynsey Steers at Suffield Park Nursery with children Alfie, Nancy, Myla, Thea, Kaitlyn and Annable (Image: Sonya Duncan)

“As the only setting in our town, we are currently able to meet local demand for nursery places.

“We know our families need and value us and we are in the process of working with the local authority to protect our nursery without compromising the quality of the 'outstanding' provision we offer our children and families.”

Suffield Park Nursery children Hamish and Zachary (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Thea and Kaitlyn at Suffield Park Nursery in Cromer (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mrs Powell said other challenges included a rising number of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND); providing support for parents and carers; and rising costs associated with the practical side of running the business. 

Ofsted had previously rated the nursery ‘good’ following an inspection 2017.