Top marks again as playgroup gets another outstanding Ofsted rating

Battle Pre-School Playgroup, in Asten Fields, was visited by inspector Amanda Vidler in April and her findings were published on May 12.

In her report, Ms Vidler described children as “extremely ready” for the next step in their education and said they made “exceptional progress” during their time at Battle.

She added: “Staff form extremely strong emotional bonds with children from the start. Staff are extremely knowledgeable and skilled.

“For example, they provide exceptional play opportunities and inspiring real life experiences, which motivate, stimulate and encourage children to explore and learn through play.”

Ms Vidler praised the efforts of playgroup manager Beverley Smith, who had ensured a system of ongoing training was in place for her staff and that the training was shared with colleagues.

She was seen to be “extremely effective” at monitoring the progress of the children, while staff were skilled at recognising when a child needed extra help to catch up, arranging “interesting, motivating and exciting” ways of helping them to learn.

When it came to the potential for future improvement, the message from Ofsted was essentially ‘more of the same, please’, with instructions to further strengthen the “already excellent” partnerships staff had with parents and outside bodies such as the local primary schools.

Battle Playgroup was last inspected by Ofsted in April 2010, when it was also rated ‘outstanding’.

Beverley, 45, said: “We’re just really pleased about the fact we were given outstanding a second time.

“It just confirms what we do for our children and families and the local community. Parents have been very, very positive and we’re had lots of good feedback.”

Explaining why her playgroup had proved to be such a continuing success, Beverley added: “I think it’s a really nurturing environment, building really good relationships with families. It’s about building trust, stability and continuity.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.