A nursery has gained top marks from an education watchdog which has rated it ‘outstanding’ in all aspects for the first time.

Buddies Children Centre, based at Brickhouse Farm Community Centre, Poulton Close, Maldon, was inspected last month with the results released last Tuesday.

An Ofsted inspector praised “extremely successful” teaching methods, dedicated staff and highly motivated, happy and confident children, who are inspired to try new experiences.

Clair Winsor, 37, of Hullbridge Road, South Woodham Ferrers, has managed the pre-school since 2011.

She was delighted to find out the pre-school’s inspection result saying: “I think I nearly fell of my chair when I found out.

“You try, and think you are doing everything right, but never know if you are or not.

“The inspection went fantastically.

“It was hard going because she was here all day, they do make you work for it.

“We were ‘good’ last time in 2011, this is the first time we have been outstanding.”

The inspector found staff celebrated achievements and dealt “sensitively and consistently” with challenging behaviour, allowing children to understand if and when conduct was unacceptable.

Girls particularly excelled in maths and literacy development, with all children making significant progress and learning about the needs of others in the community and wider world.

The inspector reported outcomes for children at the centre were outstanding, saying: “Children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning including the move on to school.”

The centre, which celebrated it’s 21st birthday this year, originally provided respite care for children with special education needs.

It has 33 places for children aged between two and five.

Clair said: “You can’t coach the children to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to be doing, there’s always an element that it might all go really wrong.

“We have been working so hard, it’s all about the team.

“We do everything as best we can for the children and the community.”