A Suffolk Montessori nursery is celebrating its new Outstanding Ofsted rating.
Colourbox Montessori School was praised for its learning methods, the behaviour of the children and the work of teachers.
On December 7, in its first inspection since opening in 2020, the Barrow nursery was rated Outstanding in all areas.
Inspectors praised the independence of the children and their "excellent behaviour", and the work of the staff in engaging them, in the report, published on Tuesday, January 17.
The staff "adapt and adjust activities" when needed, according to the report, responding to the interests of the children.
"For example, when children show an interest in tongs at lunchtime, practitioners ensure tongs are available at an activity later in the day," inspectors observed.
Susie Norman, founder and director of Colourbox Montessori, said that she was "delighted" with the rating, and added: "I am very proud of the nurseries, the management and the fabulous staff teams.
"A Montessori early years education at Colourbox gives children such a fabulous start in life and I'm thrilled that Ofsted continues to acknowledge this when they inspect my nurseries."
It joins three other Colourbox nurseries to hold the rating, and is one of eight consecutive Outstanding grades awarded to nurseries in the group in the last two decades.
Colourbox started this year with an afternoon tea to celebrate all its recent achievements.
As well as the Ofsted grades, the group was also recognised in the UK's Top 20 Small Nursery Groups 2022 on the Daynurseries website, based on ratings by parents and guardians.
Operations manager, Sandra Copping, said: "The Montessori method is a fantastic method for children.
"It encourages independence, and the staff are well trained. The Ofsted inspector was really impressed with how polite and independent they were."
The Colourbox group has nurseries in Haverhill, Newmarket, Red Lodge, and Bury St Edmunds.
The nursery in Barrow offers full daycare for children aged two to four.
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