A pre school in Witchford is given the highest rating by Ofsted

Witchford Rackham Pre School (Image: Archant)

The school was inspected in October when it was awarded ‘outstanding’ across the board for the high quality and standards of its early years’ provision.

It received top marks for all four inspection categories including leadership, teaching, outcomes and personal development, behaviour and welfare.

Nicola Scarafile, manager, has worked with her team for a year to improve children’s experiences by introducing sensory and messy play opportunities, such as the new mud kitchen, which was a hit with the inspector – and the children.

She said: “The team has worked really hard to make positive changes to the pre-school and in the last 12 months alone – with the support of our committee, parents and local businesses – we have decorated throughout, introduced a new interactive online journal to record all the learning and fun the children have at the pre-school, and built a mud kitchen.

Witchford Rackham Pre School (Image: Archant)

“I am delighted that these improvements have helped create an ‘outstanding’ pre-school.”

The inspector, Gail Warnes, praised Ms Scarafile, who has been with the school for a year, and recognised the quality of teaching overall.

“The quality of teaching is inspirational. Staff consistently demonstrate high expectations of what children can achieve.

“They instinctively adapt and reshape activities, following children’s emerging interests and make the most of every learning opportunity.”

She continued: “The children’s behaviour is exceptionally good. They demonstrate high levels of self-control and respect for each other and their environment. Their emotional well-being is highly prioritised… children establish secure attachments with staff.”

The village pre-school, founded in 1980, is within the grounds of Witchford Rackham Primary School and provides term-time childcare for youngsters aged two to four.