AN exemplary setting where confident, happy, children thrive in learning, is how an inspector from an education watchdog summed up a Martham nursery. Although Trinity Children's Centre has been open for less than a year it was judged outstanding in all 14 categories of a report by Ofsted.

AN exemplary setting where confident, happy, children thrive in learning, is how an inspector from an education watchdog summed up a Martham nursery.

Although Trinity Children's Centre has been open for less than a year it was judged outstanding in all 14 categories of a report by Ofsted.

Set in the grounds of Martham Primary School, the centre provides nursery care for 30 children up to the age of five and after school facilities for families living in the village and surrounding areas.

Ofsted inspector Lesley Gadd praised the visionary leadership from the school head which has helped create an effective team which is proactive in ensuring children are happy, confident, and thriving in their learning.

She said out of school facilities provided excellent foundations for children adding the setting demonstrated an exemplary commitment to children and that children's safety is robustly assured.

“Families speak very positively about their children's experience of the day nursery and out of school care. They comment on the fact children love to attend, that in a short space of time children develop real social confidence and that as parents they feel children are safe and happy.”

Ofsted said it was impressed with the level of care taken in early years with information from parents and play observations combined to foster their learning. The report said activities were adapted to ensure all children's learning needs are robustly met and that children record achievements in celebration books, looked at by parents.

It goes on to say all children have a good understanding of numbers and that staff provide excellent role models. Older children have a clear idea about acceptable behaviour and are keen to be helpful, something which is rewarded.

The centre, which employs 10 staff, is managed by headteacher John Dye and a sub-committee of governors, all of whom were praised.

The �737,000 Trinity Centre was officially opened in May as part of plans by Norfolk County Council to have 52 Sure Start children's centres up and running by 2011 to help young families.

Centre co-ordinator Julie Church said: “We were pleasantly surprised by what we have managed to get from Ofsted. It is very good because it reinforces what we are trying to achieve here and we are very confident that we will continue to improve on our performance.”

As well as providing child care, the Trinity Centre offers health provision, advice and support to families of young children.