A WEST CUMBRIAN childcare business with 'a deep connection' to country life at its heart has been given an outstanding rating by the education watchdog Ofsted.
Woodend Country Childcare in Lamplugh was founded by owner Claire Sharpe, following the birth of her twins, one of whom, Jonathan, was born facing significant disabilities.
The 59-year-old, who has now run the business for 23 years, previously owned her own fashion store, Outrage in Cockermouth, but had to give it up due to raising Jonathan and her other children.
As a keen businesswoman, Claire was determined to continue in some aspect of work, with a friend suggesting she take up childminding, and from here Woodend Childcare was born.
Claire and her son Jonathan(Image: Supplied)
"It just started off as a little thing really," said Claire. "I just wanted something for me. I had lost my identity a bit and you just want to keep going for yourself, and then it was just the best thing ever.
"I never thought I would like anything other than fashion, but it just went from strength to strength. I did all my qualifications, then I did a degree... I did a degree when I was 40."
Claire now runs Woodend alongside her two daughters Hannah Donald and Lucy Sharpe - with the family running a dairy , beef and sheep farm alongside the childcare business, as well as a busy holiday cottage.
Demand has now grown so much that Woodend has had to turn around 80 babies away due to the limited places on offer. Claire said: "It just goes on word of mouth. I never have to advertise, everybody loves it, it's a home from home.
The children are given a 'country education'.(Image: Supplied)
"We treat everybody's children like you would want your own children to be treated.
"We do a lot of countryside things, we're in fields and woodlands every week, different animal experiences, growing vegetables, using them to cook with and enjoy for snack.... it's a proper country life."
Children at the nursery see 'all the sides of the farm', which includes milking and lambs being born, giving them a great start in understanding country life, as well as where food comes from.
Recently, Woodend was awarded an 'Outstanding' Ofsted report. It scored Outstanding in every area of the report, with inspectors saying: "Children thrive in this home-from-home setting and show they have a zest for learning."
The rating was particularly special for Claire and the team, with the owner saying her mam, who the family had lost a short while before the inspection, was 'shining down' on her daughter and granddaughters on the day of the Ofsted visit.
Some of the children at Woodend(Image: Supplied)
Jonathan will be 30 in February, with Claire being supported to care for him through the day whilst she runs the childcare business. He is well known by children and families within the nursery, with many children making friends with him through reading stories and play.
Clare has said that all her staff 'are part of our large family'. She added: "My hardworking dedicated daughters are so keen to follow in my footsteps and the dedication of all our team helped us achieve the outstanding Ofsted at Woodend Country Childcare."