A FLAGSHIP Greenock nursery is attracting visitors from all over the UK from other professionals are keen to follow in their footsteps.

The state-of-the-art Glenpark Nursery recently welcomed a delegation from a early years centre in Northern Ireland, who are keen to adopt their ethos.

Glenpark in Madeira Street replaced the old Kelly Street nursery.

Following a glowing report from inspectors the west end facility is regarded as a centre of excellence with others keen to learn their practices.

Patricia Wylie, her staff and her children, were delighted to show guests from the small village of Ballycastle around the establishment before the closure due to the coronavirus.

She said: "We have such a great team here and we are just delighted to keep doing what we are doing.

"We have a fantastic facility now but we always had the same ethos with our children."

Glenpark is being held up as a role model of good practice by the Care Inspectorate and has had many visitors on fact-finding trips.

Only a year after opening Glenpark ELC was ranked as excellent by inspectors for quality of care and learning.

Watchdogs say it provides outstanding care and support and the staff have created a positive, inclusive and nurturing environment.

The team from the Mothergoose and Jack Horner community nurseries in Ballycastle, near the Giant's Causeway, were impressed on the visit.

Head of centre Hazel Kirkpatrick said: "We are amazed at how calm and happy the children are.

"Scotland is very much ahead of us.

"I have visited before myself and I brought my team back.

"We want to put this in place in our nurseries.

"There is so much we can learn.

"We are from a rural area which relies on tourism so it is good to see different practices in place."