A PRESCHOOL based in Page Park has been praised for its highly dedicated staff and “stimulating play environment”.
An inspector from Ofsted visited Page Park Preschool in July.
Her report said the preschool, based at the pavilion next to the Bean Tree cafe, is ‘good’ in all areas – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development.
Inspector Louise Phillips said: “Warm, friendly and nurturing staff welcome the children into this stimulating play environment.
“They endeavour to build strong connections with the children and families in their care.
“The staff have clear expectations for children’s learning. They focus on strengthening children’s communication and language skills and promoting children’s independence.”
The report said children develop “strong social skills”, helped by staff who encourage them to take turns, learn manners and resolve minor conflicts.
An “effective curriculum” has been created, with activities based on children’s interests.
The inspector said: “Staff follow the children’s lead and allow them to make choices about what they want to learn. They engage with the children during their play to extend their knowledge past what they already know.”
The report highlighted changes made by the preschool’s new management team, and the support given to staff.
The inspector said: “Staff feel that their ideas are taken on board; the small team work well together, which provides a positive working environment.”
Extra support for children with special educational needs or disabilities, with small, quiet group activities and outside help where needed, was highlighted.
The inspector said: “The highly dedicated staff know their children well. They get to know the children’s interests, their family dynamics, and any struggles they might have.
“This ensures all their children get the best possible start in life.”
Strong partnerships with parents, with detailed feedback, support for learning at home and advice on development issues such as potty training, were noted by the inspector.
She said: “Parents state the preschool is welcoming and is like a community.”
It was the education regulator’s first overall assessment of the preschool, which has 34 children aged from two to four on its roll, since 2018.
Ofsted last visited to inspect the preschool’s outdoor forest school provision in 2022.
Manager Charlotte Watkins said: “We are pleased with the ‘good’ outcome of the inspection, especially as it was within the first year of new management.
“We feel that the comments regarding our setting feeling like a community and how the staff know the children very well sums up the ethos of our preschool.”