A BLACKBURN nursery which has come top of the class in an inspection is set to be used as a national example of good practice.

Education watchdog inspectors from Ofsted described the support for children with special needs at Albion Street Day Nursery as "outstanding".

Now the Blackburn with Darwen Council-run centre will be one of 32 nurseries to be named in a report, due out in February, aimed at improving services and support for special needs children nationally.

"We didn't expect such praise because it's just everyday practice to us, but we were delighted," said nursery head Christine Smalley.

"We assess each child's individual needs and make sure we have the equipment and the full range of support they need."

"We have supported children with a range of needs and adapt every activity so every child can be included at a level they can manage and enjoy, so they get the development and learning they need.

"Of course we can't do this on our own, so we make sure that we work together with the parents and a range of specialists to offer the very best service we can."

The nursery can accommodate up to 50 children aged up to five years and offers a mixture of nursery education and childcare.

It also offers childcare sessions so youngsters can attend for mornings or afternoons and facilitates a wide range of health and support groups for their families.

Ofsted inspectors will spend a day at the nursery talking to staff, parents and health and other professionals who also work there before presenting their report aimed at helping children with special needs make a better transition from nursery education to primary school.