Staff '˜over the moon' at outstanding Ofsted rating

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A playgroup owner said she was 'over the moon' after it was rated '˜outstanding' by Ofsted for the second time.

Pagham Playgroup, in Nyetimber Lane, was visited by inspector Jane Franks in May and her findings were published in June.

This was the playgroup’s first inspection since April 2011 and Ms Franks found the children had developed “important early skills” needed for their step up to primary school.

With Ofsted recently tightening up the requirements needed to make the grade, owner and manager, Jean Powell, said she had wondered if the playgroup would see its rating drop to ‘good’.

Ms Franks, though, described standards at Pagham as “exceptionally high”, so she needn’t have worried.

Jean, who has been with the playgroup for 45 years, said: “I have got a very good team who work very well together. I was over the moon with everything in the report.

“The parents have been fantastic. They are all very lovely – they said it was no more than they expected.”

Ms Franks praised the work carried out by staff to ensure the youngsters made rapid progress, and described teaching as “excellent”.

The children were seen to show “great imaginative skills” as they played, and their behaviour was described as “exemplary”.

Ms Franks added: “For example, they work as a team to complete activities and show high levels of cooperation and respect for one another.

“Children have a strong sense of belonging and they clearly understand about people’s similarities and differences.”

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