Staff and youngsters at a playgroup in Soham had cause for celebration after receiving their second consecutive ‘good’ Ofsted report.

Ely Standard: Soham Playgroup, at St Andrews School, Soham, celebrate their good Ofsted, pupils and staff with (front) Henry.Soham Playgroup, at St Andrews School, Soham, celebrate their good Ofsted, pupils and staff with (front) Henry. (Image: Archant)

St Andrews CofE Junior School on Sand Street was visited by inspector Jacqueline Baker last month, and the playgroup was praised for the passion showed by its 10 members of staff, its quality of teaching and its ‘stimulating’ environment.

Ms Baker’s report said that children at the playgroup ‘benefit from the good teaching demonstrated by staff’ and that staff show ‘genuine passion’ and provide a ‘stimulating, well-sourced environment, both inside and out.’

It also said that children are ‘well prepared’ for their move to nursery, and that children are ‘busy and confident to follow their own interests’ as soon as parents leave.

The playgroup achieved a ‘good’ grading across all four aspects of the report – effectiveness of leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, welfare and behaviour and outcomes for children – with Ms Baker’s report saying that activities need to be enhanced in all age groups in order for it to be considered as ‘outstanding.’