The quality of early years provision in Stockport has never been higher.

Figures show at the end of the current Ofsted inspection cycle show that 97% of Stockport’s childminding, pre-schools, day nurseries and early years provision in maintained nursery schools and primary schools have been graded as Good or Outstanding for the quality of their early years provision.
 
Out of 391 Childminders,91% are now graded Good or Outstanding.
 
The findings report that the number of “outstanding” settings had doubled and the number of “outstanding” childminders has also seen a significant increase.

Like many councils across the country Stockport has a range of early years settings at which families can access early years provision for their children aged 0-5 years.  The Government funds early education places for eligible 2 year olds and all 3 and 4 year olds. These places can be taken with Childminders and in council maintained nursery schools, nursery classes in primary schools and in privately run Pre-schools and Day Nurseries

Councillor Colin Foster, Executive Member for Children and Family Services said: “We would like to thank Stockport Early Years Improvement Team alongside other council officers who support Childminders, settings and schools in meeting Government early years policy frameworks, the funding requirements and the standards for Ofsted. It is the dedicated hard work of local Childminders and staff in the early years settings and schools in strong partnership with these officers that has brought about these significant improvements and gives us much to celebrate.”

See also three nurseries in Stockport with triple outstanding Ofsted ratings http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/best-ofsted-ratings-manchester-nurseries

For more information about childcare settings in Stockport visit the Local Offer website www.stockport.gov.uk/childcare