Evergreen Lodge Nursery and Preschool earns 'good' first Ofsted report - with big plans for the future
Evergreen Lodge Nursery and Preschool in Snarestone has received a favourable report from their first Ofsted inspection.
The innovative children's nursery and preschool near Ashby opened in 2023 at the site of the village's former Alpaca Park Farm, has been expanding ever since and has proved to be popular with families from around the area.
Now, Evergreen's Ofsted report has underlined the work that has been carried out by the setting as they approach their second year.
Evergreen was rated as 'good' across the categories of: Quality of Education; Behaviour and Attitudes; Personal Development; and Leadership and Management.
Ofsted said: "Children are happy and settled in this nurturing setting. Staff develop respectful relationships with parents.
"They gather useful information about children when they first start attending. Staff use this information to provide experiences that will interest children and help them develop a sense of connection and belonging.
"Children benefit from spending time outdoors in all weathers as they learn about the world around them.
"Together, staff and children work on the nursery allotment patch. Children get involved in planting, growing and harvesting vegetables.
"They develop links with other allotment owners, which helps to support positive relationships in the local community. Children develop their skills as they engage in physical activities, such as digging and shovelling.
"Staff support children to engage in adventurous play opportunities across the large natural learning environment. This helps to promote children's confidence and develops their awareness of how to keep themselves safe. Staff model respect through their interactions with children and each other. For example, when children hand staff items they have asked for, they thank them for their help.
"In turn, children are quick to say 'please' and 'thank you' without the need for reminders. Children listen as staff give instructions and explain rules. They respond positively to staff as they encourage children to help put items back where they belong."
The school was founded by sisters Charlotte Saunders and Rachel Bird, who had a lifelong dream to combine their individual experiences within different fields and create a new childcare venture within the village where they spent a happy childhood. Combined with the business expertise of their fellow Directors and local Ashby couple, Carla and Stacey Garey, the business goes from strength to strength.
Rachel told Ashby Nub News: "This is an amazing achievement for all involved, especially within such a short time frame - in the words of the Ofsted inspector, we got a "very strong good".
"Things have gone really well since opening and there's been a great response to the outdoor adventure side of the nursery, which has been combined with the indoor home-from-home setting.
"We are amazed at the interest we have received and how quickly show round visits transform into reservations. We were also awarded "highly commended" in the customer care category of the Small Business Awards (East Midlands) and third overall in the public vote. We were over the moon with this, and didn't expect it. An amazing end to our first year.
"There are so many positives, we're currently providing quality, affordable early years education to 95 children, allowing their parents to go to work. We are providing employment for 23 members of staff. We're supporting fellow local businesses who come in and enhance the children's learning and we're building a strong partnership with Snarestone Primary School, who are just amazing and support us with our vision. We currently share their forest school sessions, as well as other activities such as craft sessions and sports days.
"We have built connections with other local businesses in the community, who we are using on a regular basis, e.g. Raksha Forest School, Moo Music Coalville & Ashby, Kimbles Music & Movement and Absolute Performance Academy. "These are all examples of activities to enhance the children's learning. We're helping children build these early experiences, giving them opportunities to be curious, explore and try new things, something referred to as "Cultural Capital." Our Bus of Imagination and Allotment are prime examples of these.
"We're going above and beyond what the Government provide funding for, and we won't stop here. We have lots more exciting plans for the future. We have just re-landscaped our preschool area, and are now looking at the toddler and baby area, as well as expanding the space we currently have."
She added that the setting is now full and has no spaces available until mid-2026 - with a waiting list to join and are now showing expectant families around, so plans are being made for children who have not been born yet.
Rachel said: "Ashby is a catchment area but we also have children from Measham, Tamworth, Coalville and Hinckley and we appeal to the working parent, because we offer all-year-round care between the hours of 07:30 - 18:00
"We originally opened with seven members of staff, and we now have a team of 23, including a cleaner, nursery cook and kitchen assistant. Initially our meals were cooked offsite, and we did the cleaning ourselves. We are looking at appointing one more full time practitioner, an apprentice and casual bank staff to to finally complete our amazing team and would encourage anyone interested to contact us."
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