STAFF at a Totton nursery are cock-a-hoop after winning a formal seal of approval from Ofsted inspectors.

Eling Day Nursery which takes in children aged from two to five years was found to provide "high quality" nursery education.

The quality of teaching at the Downs Park Road nursery was also praised as being "very good" with a balanced curriculum of activities.

Manager Julie Macdonald said she was pleased with the findings.

"We are all really delighted," she said. "We have a small family atmosphere and that seems to work successfully."

Activities organised during the 16-place morning and afternoon sessions include music, science projects and learning through play. The special needs provision was also defined as very good.

The nursery, owned by Jill Cairns, is also able to cater for children up to the age of eight during school holidays.

STRENGTHS:

Staff have a clear understanding of early learning goals.

Children make excellent progress in personal, social and emotional devlopment.

Staff regularly record children's achievements.

Children are well behaved.

Special needs provision is very good.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED?

A system needs to be introduced to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the nursery setting.

INSPECTORS' FINDINGS:

Personal, social and emotional development: Very good

Community, language and literacy: Very good

Mathematical development: Very good

Knowledge and understanding of the world: Very good

Physical development: Very good

Creative development: Very good