Outstanding Ofsted for West Berkshire school

Sparklers pre-school children "flourish in the safe, vibrant environment", say inspectors

STAFF and children at an Upper Basildon pre-school are celebrating after a recent outstanding Ofsted report.

Sparklers pre-school, situated in a room within Basildon Primary School, has been given an overall outstanding marking, following a visit by education inspectors on December 12, 2011.

The pre-school is a registered charity which opened in 2001 and is run by a voluntary committee of parents, with 38 children aged two to five enrolled.

Inspectors said in their report that staff recognised children's individuality, adding: “This is at the heart of all they do so children flourish in the safe, vibrant environment.”

Excellent links with the host school were highlighted in the report and staff were cited as using their expert knowledge to skilfully direct children's play, ensuring they all made very good progress, in “an extremely stimulating and welcoming environment.”

The report gave outstanding grades in all categories.

However, it highlighted that further steps needed to be taken to improve provision at the pre-school included adding to the self evaluation process by devising a system to monitor the impact of changes made on the outcomes for children, and encouraging children further to use and enjoy a variety of books and other written material in all areas of the pre-school, both in and outdoors.