THE head teacher of Walton Lane Nursery School and Children’s Centre has been hailed as a “visionary leader” by Ofsted after it was upgraded to ‘outstanding’.

Jan Holmes was singled out for praise by the education watchdog following the publication of the report this month.

The Nelson centre was reviewed in May and has now been upgraded from ‘good’.

The team of inspectors also praised the quality of teaching, learning and assessment as well as the personal development, behaviour and welfare of the children.

The pupils’ outcomes were also deemed to be ‘outstanding’.

Lead inspector Sheila Iwaskow said: “As a result of outstanding leadership, Walton Lane Nursery School has made significant improvements since the last inspection.

“The head teacher is a visionary leader who is uncompromising in her drive to improve outcomes for children. She is ably supported by her senior nursery teacher and talented staff team.

“Children and their families are at the heart of everything that happens at the school.

“Every child is recognised as an individual and their uniqueness is respected. Teaching is of the highest standard. Staff have a deep understanding of children’s skills, understanding and interests.

“Assessment information is used expertly to plan exciting activities, which are fun and move children’s learning on at a pace.

“From their different starting points all groups of children, including disadvantaged pupils and the most able, make excellent progress and achieve very well.

“Children feel very safe and are confident and inquisitive learners.

“Outdoor learning is very well promoted, particularly through ‘forest school’-type activities at a nearby woodland area.”

The nursery has 103 children on its roll between the ages of three and four and was last inspected in January 2013.

Ofsted also concluded that the ‘collaborative working is a strength’ of the nursery and that staff ‘work well’ with local schools and share their ‘excellent knowledge and skills’ with a small number of early years providers to help them develop.

However, more early years providers have yet to benefit from this sharing of excellent practice, Ofsted said.

In a statement on the nursery’s website the senior leadership praised the members of staff at the centre.