Nottinghamshire based childcare provider, The Lime Trees, which operates 38 nursery and school clubs in Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield, is celebrating its Outstanding Ofsted ratings. .

In a report released last week, all four areas of inspection: The quality of Education; Behaviour and Attitudes; Personal Development and Leadership and Management were deemed to be Outstanding.

Ofsted Inspector, Mel Walker said that: “Children thrive in the caring and nurturing environment of this nursery,” and that: “staff and children show their delight as they smile and laugh together. Staff have a clear and ambitious overarching curriculum,” and that: “Children are highly engaged throughout the day and demonstrate prolonged levels of concentration.”

The official report goes on to say that: “Parent partnerships are exceptional. Staff offer ongoing feedback and provide advice to support the whole family.” It also highlights The Lime Trees’ commitment to supporting the local community with its free food bank scheme as well as its own staff, who benefit from a mental health wellbeing officer and free counselling service. All of which: “helps to support children’s all-round holistic development.”

Founder, Gareth Degenhart, explained: “Childcare practitioners who feel valued, are cared for and respected will go above and beyond for the children in their care and will be loyal advocates for the company. The proof is in the pudding; 10 years since we began, every single setting in our network that has been inspected to date – many more than once – has been rated Outstanding. I genuinely don’t know of another provider in the whole country who can claim such a record.

“Sitting and contemplating these successes confirm to me what I already know. I have an incredible team behind me – all of whom share my vision and the mission that I set out for The Lime Trees. Working together, with a collective goal, we’re able to not only reach but surpass Ofsted expectations daily. From Apprentice to Operations Manager and everyone in between, my team push themselves to be better and to do better – professionally and personally. They embrace training and development, actively champion one another and relentlessly go above and beyond in the line of duty. No one takes for granted the importance of the work that we do – caring for and nurturing the next generation is not only a privilege, it’s an almighty responsibility. One that, sadly, not all providers take seriously enough.

“We, The Lime Trees, prove that excellence in childcare is possible. We’re obsessed with making a difference, positively impacting lives and providing flexible, affordable childcare that actually works for families. It requires commitment, passion, investment and a never-ending drive to always be better tomorrow than you were today.”