By Spring Childcare · 07 May 2025

Spring RAF Halton celebrates “GOOD” Ofsted rating

We are delighted to share the fantastic news that Spring RAF Halton has now been awarded a Good in their latest Ofsted inspection.

 

After previously receiving a “Requires Improvement” rating this transformation is a testament to the dedication, passion and professionalism of our entire RAF Halton team, who work tirelessly to provide the highest standards of early years education and care. Their commitment to continuous improvement and their passion for supporting children and their families has been key to this achievement.

The report highlighted many strengths, including the care taken to make sure children and their families build a strong connections with staff before starting at RAF Halton.

 

Here are some more highlights from the report:

• Children’s interests are followed well and staff use these to plan activities to support them in their learning. For example, younger children enjoy exploring loose parts in the tuff tray. Older children measure out ingredients to make their own gingerbread, recalling prior learning from the traditional tale of ‘The Gingerbread Man.’ Children behave well and listen to instructions. They are polite and older children use please and thank you, unprompted.

 

• Children have opportunities to climb, balance and run freely in the outdoor area. They benefit from weekly forest school sessions, as well as the newly developed outside area. This helps to develop children’s large-muscle movements.

 

• Leaders support staff in a variety of professional development opportunities to ensure that the children’s needs are met and procedures are fully maintained. Staff feel that leaders prioritise their well-being. They receive regular supervision where they can discuss a range of issues. Leaders support staff to gain childcare qualifications to develop their career.

 

• Staff serve as strong role models who have high expectations for children’s behaviour. Children from military families are supported well. Staff work with children and parents to support them through times of deployment, acknowledging this can be a difficult time, for all involved.

 

Voices from the team

Staff at Spring RAF Halton are overjoyed with the result. Here’s what a few of them had to say:

Ceinwen- Senior Nursery Practitioner:

Our previous rating whilst disappointing helped us to reflect on our practices and partnerships which has been reflected in our new rating of good, pleased our hard work has been recognised. 

Tracy – Senior Nursery Practitioner:

The last Ofsted was not the outcome we would of liked but it gave us some insight into what we could change and make better which we did , and that in turn gave us the best chance and it proved it and it worked as we got a good.

Abigail Doman – Deputy Manager:

Joining the nursery team after the previous inspection, I could see how disappointing it was for the team. I feel very privileged to have been able to be apart of the re-inspection, working closely with all the team to achieve our ‘Good’.

Samantha Doman – Lunch cover/Cleaner:

I’m proud that our teams hard work in strengthening our practice has achieved a GOOD rating

Madieke Aarssen  – Nursery Manager:

I am incredibly proud of my team, they consistently give their all, and this well-earned recognition is a true reflection of that. Over the past year, we’ve worked tirelessly, showing unwavering passion and commitment, and I’m overjoyed that our rating now aligns with that. Because truthfully, we are more than just Good—we are exceptional, and this achievement is a testament to that.

 

These reflections show just how much the recognition means to the RAF Halton team and we hope you join us in offering them the biggest congratulations.

 

To read the full report click here: https://springchildcare.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/EYR-Inspection-Report-EIF-RAF-Halton.pdf

 

WELL DONE TEAM RAF HALTON