A PRE-SCHOOL based at a village church has been given the highest possible rating by Ofsted.
The education regulator says Tower Playgroup in Pucklechurch is ‘outstanding’ in all areas – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development.
Inspector Victoria Jones, who visited the pre-school in March, said: “Children thrive in this rich learning environment, eager to learn, confident and happy.
“Staff, with their advanced skills and knowledge, have developed a highly ambitious curriculum that caters to children of all ages and backgrounds, guiding them to achieve exceptional progress in their learning and development.
“They provide outstanding support to children with special educational needs or disabilities, who make remarkable progress from their individual starting points.”
Based at the Church Room at Thomas A Beckett Church, Tower Playgroup has just 16 children, aged between two and four, on its roll.
First established in 1967, the pre-school is run by manager Katherine Robbins, who has worked there for 18 years, and deputy manager Maria Wiltshire-Wells, who has been there for nine, with the support of a volunteer committee.
The inspector highlighted children’s confidence and communication skills, including learning greetings in sign language.
She said: “Staff understand the importance of helping children build a broad vocabulary.”
Literacy skills are also developed, with children able to recognise letters and short words. They show “high levels of creative expression” in making crafts.
The inspector said children are supported to develop “mathematical skills beyond their age”, including counting backwards and using addition and subtraction in practical situations.
She said children develop “advanced independence skills” and “an understanding of how their behaviour affects others that is remarkable for their age”, including willingly sharing toys, high levels of patience and good table manners.
The inspector praised the connections staff make with other professionals, when children need extra support, help for parents, who “highly recommend” the pre-school and their close relationships with the children.
She said: “Children’s happiness and progress are at the heart of everything they do, to help children persevere and make exceptional progress.”
Katherine and Maria said: “We are extremely proud to receive an outstanding grade.
“We have worked hard together over the last nine years to achieve this.
“The inspector made us feel at ease, and we feel that the report clearly outlines how committed we are in providing a nurturing, stimulating and safe environment where all children can learn, develop and thrive in our care.”