Children at a Kings Langley nursery "flourish in an environment where their well-being and learning are the staff’s utmost priority", according to an education watchdog report.

After a one-day inspection in June, Ofsted upgraded Jack In The Box, High Street, to "outstanding"- the highest possible rating given by Ofsted. In January 2009, they received a "good" rating.

The report highlighted children receive a "flawless balance" between "adult-led" and "child-initiated activities and opportunities" while at the nursery and that teaching was "outstanding" because staff have "a superb knowledge of children’s needs."

Children are taught to use literacy and maths skills during every-day activities and routines such as getting things to eat and registration and they are encouraged to problem solve and "count, describe and discuss" during their play.

Zoe Tearle, manager at Jack In The Box explained why she thinks it is so important for the children to use skills in every-day activities.

She said: "I think it is for their independence. We are registered as a nursery, but we pride ourselves as a pre-school."

"We hope every child, when they leave us in July, will be school ready. We try to make them very independent little learners."

The nursery works in close partnership with parents to try and ensure that the children’s routines at the nursery mirror routines at the children’s home. For example, toddlers are "able to independently choose when they would like to eat and use the toilet facilities."

The nursery manager added: "We opened five years ago and we were visited within the first five months, when we were still getting used to it.

"Since then, we have worked really hard, waiting for them to come again. I’d like to say a massive thank you to all of the stuff and parents.

"We are very fortunate that they support all that we do."

The report also praises the fact that the nursery helps parents with funding issues, healthy living and safeguarding children by making them aware of government initiatives.

Children are also given a learning journal where key people charged with their care at the nursery can record their assessments and plans.

Spaces for 2015 are limited and the nursery provides two sessions- one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with additional after-school and lunch-time clubs. Full spaces are available from September 2015.

Jack In The Box was set up by Zoe and her business partner, Jenny Underwood. Both women are former primary school teachers at Sheperd Primary School, Rickmansworth.

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