A VILLAGE pre-school with only 18 children on its roll has been praised for its “ambitious and well-structured” curriculum and supportive environment.
Ofsted visited Tytherington Pre-School, which is run by a volunteer committee at Tytherington Village Hall, in November.
Inspector Michelle Grayling said the pre-school was ‘good’ in all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development.
Her report said children feel safe and secure, forming trusting relationships with the “nurturing” staff and showing “positive attitudes towards learning”.
The inspector said: “The supportive environment and tailored curriculum that staff provide helps all children to progress well.”
Children with additional learning needs are well-supported, with staff adapting the curriculum to make sure all children make good progress.
Children ‘thrive’ and are supported in all areas
The report said: “Children thrive with the ambitious and well-structured curriculum provided by staff. This supports their development in all areas of learning.”
Children, who are aged from two to four, are well-prepared for school, the inspector said, with staff helping them to become independent by learning to look after themselves, from wiping their own noses and putting on shoes to washing hands and serving their own snacks.
They also develop physical skills through den-building and using play equipment.
The report said staff “enrich children’s experiences”, teaching them about their local community and the world, going on nature walks and helping them to understand cultural events “in a way they can understand”.
They organise music and sports clubs using external providers.
The inspector said partnerships with parents are “effective”, with progress information shared and parents involved in their children’s learning.
She said: “Parents appreciate the clear communication and the flexible, personalised approach of staff.”
The strong leadership and management, training and regular appraisals for staff adds to “high team morale”.
To further improve, the inspector recommended that staff ensure they consistently make behaviour expectations clear to children and ensure all children’s learning is extended and challenged as much as possible.
The report, published in December, is the third in a row to give the pre-school, which first opened in 1996, a ‘good’ rating.
‘It makes all the hard work worth it’
Pre-school manager Laura Driver said: “We are delighted with our result. It makes all the hard work worth it.
“We’re so proud of our little village pre-school.
“We liked how they picked up on us promoting independence, as we aim to provide a safe and stimulating environment for children to grow into confident and independent learners.”