IT WAS three cheers for a town nursery after it was rated "outstanding" for the third time in a row.
Hedon Nursery School has been awarded the top rating in all categories by education inspectors from Ofsted.
The nursery got the top marks for overall effectiveness – as well as for achievement, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils, leadership and management.
Delighted headteacher Karen Hunter said: "This is the third outstanding judgment in a row that the school has received – a hat-trick.
"It was even more significant this year because Ofsted raised the bar from September last year, making it even more difficult to achieve the outstanding category.
"I know parents are all very proud of their children, and I would like to add that we are too.
"Their behaviour was impeccable during the inspection and the inspector enjoyed playing alongside and talking with them. "
Ofsted found children make extremely rapid progress in all areas of learning at the nursery school.
Lead inspector David Byrne said in his report: "Inspirational teaching from a gifted team of adults meets the needs of every child.
"From the second the children arrive, they are fully engaged throughout each session because the activities are exceptionally well organised, hugely enjoyable and totally engrossing."
Mr Byrne found the adults at the 134-pupil nursery school in Market Hill develop warm relationships with the children.
He said: "A wide range of stimulating and exciting activities captures the children's imaginations, extends their understanding and deepens their thinking."
Mrs Hunter paid tribute to her staff.
She said: "I would like to thank the staff and governors who all came under scrutiny.
"They thoroughly deserve this report for their constant and consistent strive to ensure the best possible provision of care and education for the children at Hedon Nursery School."
The inspectors found parents work in close partnership with staff to support their children's learning and are pleased with the start the nursery gives their children.
Mrs Hunter said: "The lead inspector was very complimentary about everything that we do as a school, including the relationships that we have with parents and the community and how supportive they are of the school.
"Thanks must go to parents who spoke to the inspector and the remarks that they made to him.
"He was also very impressed that so many of them often take the time to make written comments, which he enjoyed reading."
