Harlequin Out Of School Club, in Stockett Lane, was rated outstanding in every category by inspectors, who turned up without warning.

Alison Payne, managing director of the club for children aged from four, said: “Being regarded as outstanding is a huge achievement for any Ofsted-registered setting, but particularly so since the changes from Ofsted came in.”

The former clinical nurse set the business up seven years ago after a challenge from her husband, and says its success is down to quality, affordable care rather than treating parents like “walking cheque books”.

The Ofsted report said: “Children receive excellent support in all areas of learning but particularly in personal, social and emotional development.”