MANAGERS of Long Preston Playgroup are 'over the moon' after the pre-school was rated 'outstanding' in all areas by Ofsted.

The Little Learners' Centre, based at Long Preston Primary School, in School Lane, was rated outstanding for its leadership and management, for quality of teaching, and outcomes and personal development of children.

In her inspection report, Ellen McAughey, said quality of teaching and learning at the school, which has 21 two to four year old children on its roll, was 'exceptional'.

"Staff have very high expectations of all children and ensure teaching is of a consistently high quality and offers outstanding challenge. Children make excellent progress from their starting points, including those who have special educational needs and or disabilities," she said.

Ms McAughey described the management team as 'extremely passionate' about providing children with 'exceptional quality care and education'.

Staff are well qualified and highly skilled, and attend regular training courses, and there were 'excellent relationships' with other professionals, agencies and schools in the area.

In addition, partnerships with parents are 'superb', allowing parents to be fully involved in their children's learning.

As part of their personal development, children were involved in the planting and nurturing of vegetables, which they took home to help encourage healthy eating. Impeccable behaviour was reinforced with a variety of strategies, including yoga, while children were 'encouraged to take risks and become highly confident and independent.'

Lyndsey Jennings, playgroup and pre-school manager, said: "We are absolutely over the moon about the result. The staff work

incredibly hard, to provide high quality care for the children and we are so proud that this has been recognised by Ofsted."