School staff happy to make grade

Staff at a Cannock pre-school have made the grade receiving a good rating by an Ofsted inspector.

They found the quality and standards of the care and the education at Moorhill Pre-School and Fun Club, Moorland Road, were of a standard qualifying them for a 'good' grade.

Inspector Sally Ann Smith also praised the pre-school and fun club for its ability to protect children and keep them safe through well considered play and gave it an 'outstanding grade' for that category.

She said: "Staff ensure safety is of the utmost priority in all areas of children's care. Children learn how to stay safe through a range of well-planned activities and games.

"Careful consideration is given to the resources available to challenge children yet enable them to learn how these are used safely. With adult support they are shown how to handle knives, scissors, hammers and nails and use these independently."

Initiatives highlighted in the report include having children make a "chatterbox" where they can put different things in that they care about so if they feel shy and cannot remember what they would like to talk about about themselves they have prompts.

She said: "Children enter the setting happily and separate from their parents and carers confidently.

They are provided with a good range of activities that effectively promotes all aspects of their development.

"Staff ensure children are happy and engaged in their play and routines are flexible to accommodate children's interests."

Tara Fletcher, chairman of the pre-school, said: "We are delighted with our Ofsted inspection

W"e have lots of comments from parents about how happy they are with the result.

"The Fun Club, our before and after school care facility, was praised for having a wealth of exciting activities for children to choose from and all children enjoy attending.

It was also noted that during the holiday, staff ensure that children have an action packed programme incorporating many trips and staff are dedicated to ensuring that all children are happy and able to have fun.