A PRE-SCHOOL is celebrating after receiving its first Outstanding Ofsted rating.

Learning Tree Pre-school, based at Rodbourne Cheney Primary School, The Broadway received the perfect rating following an inspection last month.

The preschool, which cares for 82 children aged between two and four was given special praise for the quality of staff’s interaction with the children, the staff’s great relationship with parents and the exciting classroom facilities which helped promote early reading and communication skills.

Owner manager Elaine Tucker said she was over the moon with the report.

She said: “When myself and the deputy manager heard we burst into tears. It was something we had been working towards for a very long time and because we know how difficult it is to get it meant the world to us, it really did.

“I am most proud of the comments around our interaction with the pupils and parents. That is something we strive towards and it feels amazing to know we are an outstanding setting.

“I have been working in this environment for more than 30 years and this is my first outstanding so it means so much to us.

Ofsted inspector Angela Cogan, praising the staff’s commitment to the childrens’ emotional well-being said in her report:

“Children are eager to learn and take part. They operate with impressive independence and benefit from an incredibly organised and well-considered environment. Children make exciting discoveries and decisions, and play with increasing levels of independence. They get on exceptionally well with each other and are respectful and kind.”

The rating is an improvement from the pre-school’s last inspection where they received a Good rating.

Elaine praised her team of nine staff members and deputy manager Emma Norton.

She said: “We strive to excel in everything we do, we want to keep improving, keep moving forward and that’s what we want to do, retain the outstanding rating and continue to strive for perfection.”

“I have the best team in the world and I am proud to work with them every day. Teamwork is why we work so well as well as our dedication to the children.”

The faultless report only had one recommendation for the pre-school, to continue to improve the ‘already outstanding’ experiences children have to support their reading and communication.

Elaine, who plans to go out for a meal with her team to celebrate, said:

“I love being there helping the children learn to read, communicate and preparing them for life in school. Knowing you have been a part of their learning and watching them go off to school, excited to learn more is the best feeling.”