A CHILDREN’S nursery overlooking Morecambe Bay has been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted to the delight of staff, youngsters and parents.

Small Wonders, in Grange-over-Sands, was set up 11 years ago by childminder Julie Stonier and husband Mike who have two teenage children, Morgan and Amelia.

The day nursery is on the ground-floor of the family’s home at Rockland Road where Mrs Stonier and her team of four care for 31 youngsters aged three months to 10, including breakfast and after-school clubs for Grange CE Primary School.

“We have all worked so hard to achieve this again that we feel like shouting it from the rooftops,” said Mrs Stonier, whose childcare setting retained the ‘outstanding’ rating given by Ofsted at its visit seven years ago.

“I’d like to thank my amazing team, Linda, Jo, Lainey and Lisa; they are fantastic with the children and all support each other and myself so much,” said Mrs Stonier, who worked at fashion store Next in Kendal before becoming a childminder.

“My husband Mike is also so supportive. He’s a builder and fireman at Grange station so when I decided I was becoming a childminder he literally built my setting. Over the years he has made everything I’ve had ideas for, from a mud kitchen and big outdoor art easel, to bookshelves."

After visiting the Small Wonders nursery last month, Ofsted inspector Katie Sparrow wrote in her report: “Children flourish and excel in this truly inspiring childminding setting. The levels of independence shown by all children are astonishing.”

“Children are cared for in an incredibly loving, nurturing and safe environment. The childminder and her assistants place the highest priority on promoting children’s physical and emotional well-being and fostering close bonds. They are highly attentive to children’s needs. They listen very carefully to what children have to say and offer children extremely warm and sincere interactions, using soft and calm voices.

"Children are tremendously happy and secure and relish their time spent in this wonderful setting.”

Mrs Stonier said: “We are absolutely over the moon because we’ve worked so hard, and we are so pleased for the children and the families.

"It’s just nice to be recognised.”