Rosedene Redcar celebrates “Strong” first Ofsted inspection

Rosedene Redcar has been praised for the “superb progress” children make, its “warm and welcoming environment”, and the “high-quality teaching”, following its first Ofsted inspection.

The nursery, based at Embleton Court, Redcar, achieved a ‘Strong’ rating across five key areas of Ofsted's new inspection framework, recognising the quality of its achievement, children's welfare and wellbeing, curriculum and teaching, inclusion and leadership and governance.

Inspectors praised the quality of education, describing children as “very happy” and saying they enjoy attending the “exciting and vibrant setting”, where they settle quickly, build secure relationships with staff and develop confidence through a wide range of engaging experiences.

Inspectors highlighted the nursery's “warm and welcoming” approach, noting that children develop secure attachments with their key people, helping them feel emotionally secure and ready to learn. Staff were praised for knowing children well and providing experiences that reflect their individual interests and stage of development.

The report also recognised the nursery's “broad and balanced” curriculum, with children encouraged to explore, investigate and think critically through hands-on learning. Babies, it says, enjoy exploring musical instruments and joining in with familiar songs, while older children listen enthusiastically, acting out adventures from We're Going on a Bear Hunt. Children also learn about the natural world by planting flowers, caring for the nursery garden and discovering how acorns grow into oak trees.

Inspectors praised children's “excellent personal and social development”, highlighting their excellent focus and attention, growing confidence and positive attitudes towards learning.

Children's welfare and wellbeing was another area singled out for praise, with inspectors saying staff support it "superbly". The report found children feel safe, valued and emotionally secure because staff respond warmly and sensitively to their needs, while the nursery's ’exciting and vibrant’ spaces encourage exploration, independence and new experiences.

The quality of teaching also received high praise, with inspectors saying leaders and staff have an “excellent understanding of the curriculum” and deliver “high-quality teaching” that develops children's communication, language and understanding of the world through meaningful interactions and carefully planned activities.

Cheri Higgins, operations manager at Rosedene, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the team at Rosedene Redcar and of what they’ve achieved in such a short space of time.

“Our aim from the outset has been to create a nursery where children are happy, safe and confident, and where every child feels happy, safe and inspired to learn every day.

“To have inspectors recognise the excellent progress children are making, the quality of teaching and the strength of the support provided by our team is hugely rewarding.

“This inspection reflects the dedication, passion and professionalism of our staff, as well as the trust and support of the families who have joined us since we opened. We look forward to continuing to provide the very best start in life for children in Redcar.”

Rosedene Redcar opened in September 2025, marking the family-run nursery group’s return to the town after 20 years, offering 51 places for children aged from birth to six.

The nursery is next to Sainsbury’s at Wheatlands Park, and had previously been home to a Rosedene nursery before later becoming a pharmacy. Rosedene returned to the site last year and transformed it into a new nursery for local families.

The report described children as “very happy” and said they enjoy attending the “exciting and vibrant setting”.