OAK View Academy is already seeing huge improvements in learning and behaviour as a result of extending their nursery provision just more than six months ago.

The Winsford school's nursery service began welcoming children as young as two at the start of the current school year, in a bid to give them a head start on their education journey.

Now, executive headteacher Fiona Whittaker has reported that staff are already seeing a wide-range of benefits.

She explained: “By opening our doors to children as young as two, we are seeing significant improvements in all aspects of learning and behaviour.

“It is also allowing us to make contact with families in the area and support them to improve outcomes for children from a very early age.

“With the building also in use for services such as midwifery and health checks, it also furthers our ambitions to offer a holistic approach for families.”

Oak View, once rated the second worst primary in the country under its former guise Greenfields Primary, now has pupils making progress faster than any other primary in Cheshire, according to SATs results.

And management believe the extended nursery provision at Little Acorns is another boost which will ensure the impressive progress continues.

Little Acorns is set in the school grounds. Among the many services there, children can benefit from an on-site speech and language therapist.

With a recent £500 award from the Darnhall Foundation, children are also benefitting from additional indoor and outdoor play equipment.

Nursery Teacher Natasha Ogden says the extra time spent in a learning environment is significantly bettering children’s social, language and basic motor function skills.

She said: “The fun and exciting activities are all aimed at developing children’s learning.

"The structure and routine we instil allows them to learn, develop and grow in preparation for future school life."