Swindon was handed the inspectorate's highest rating of outstanding in eight categories, including the way it works with partners, the ambition of its managers and commitment to improve.
Inspectors were particularly impressed with the council's monitoring and evaluation of its performance and for forging strong links with local children's charities.
Garry Perkins, Swindon's cabinet member for children services, said: "I am very proud of this result which has been achieved through sheer determination and a real team effort across children cervices to raise standards even further."
Nottingham's favourable report was based on an unannounced inspection at the end of last year.
This praised the "strong sense of team work among staff in duty teams and good formal and informal support from managers".
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