A Darwen nursery where 'staff create a nurturing, home-from-home environment' has been rated 'good' by Ofsted.

Precious Moments Childcare, on Primrose House, Primrose Street, was inspected by Ofsted on June 28.

A report, published on July 23, described how 'staff complete regular observations of children to promptly identify any gaps in learning and seek early professional help'.

The report said: "Staff gain information from parents about children's care and learning needs on entry to the nursery.

"This enables staff to develop strong attachments with children, which has a positive impact on children's well-being and emotional development.

"Children build warm, trusting relationships and feel happy and secure in staff's care. They are eager to start their day as they are warmly welcomed by staff."

The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were all rated 'good'.

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the report said the nursery should "help staff to consider the impact of noise levels on children's learning, to better support children's concentration skills, improve consistency in how children are supported to develop independence, and self-help skills n review how access to outdoor play is planned and organised for babies."

Precious Moments Childcare was registered in 2023, and employs 16 members of childcare staff.

Ten staff hold an early years qualification at levels 2 to 6, and operates Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6pm, all year round, apart from Bank Holidays and one week at Christmas.

The report also said: "Staff support children's communication and language well. For example, they use good questioning skills as children play, to engage them in conversations.

"Staff support children to learn new vocabulary. They introduce new words and their meaning. For example crabs, pincers and claws.

"However, during some activities in the preschool room the noise level makes it hard for children to hear and concentrate."