STAFF and children are jumping for joy after two nurseries were rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Willow Cottage Nurseries, which has two centres in Eynsham and Farmoor, was visited by inspectors in December.

In a report published last week the nurseries were praised for the “excellent” activities for children, awareness of healthy diets, and exceptional teaching of literacy.

The two nurseries look after 142 children up to the age of five.

Area manager Julie De-Banks said: “After working at Willow Cottage for the last 20 years, I am absolutely thrilled and would like to thank everyone in the Willow Cottage “family” who have contributed towards attaining this wonderful achievement.”

Headteacher Ruth Salway added: “I am proud to work as part of this team; the staff are committed to quality childcare and supporting individual educational needs of each child.”

Georgia Atkinson-Green, three, who attends the Willow Cottage nursery in Eynsham, said: “I like nursery because I can ride bikes and play with my friends — I also like singing and dancing.”

Harry Wootton, also three, said: “I like making sandcastles best.”