STAFF and children at a Gorleston pre-school have been celebrating following a glowing Ofsted report. The education watchdog judged the Shrublands Pre-School as good across the board following its latest inspection.

STAFF and children at a Gorleston pre-school have been celebrating following a glowing Ofsted report.

The education watchdog judged the Shrublands Pre-School as good across the board following its latest inspection. Children at the pre-school are happy, settled and eager to learn and make good progress in all areas of learning and development.

They frequently help to organise their own play and are often active, playing in the fresh air, digging in the sand, exploring water and playing on wheeled toys. Ofsted said the outdoor play also contributed to the children's good health.

The pre-school, based at Wroughton Infant School, in Beccles Road, currently has 57 children on its books aged from three to under five and employs five staff.

Ofsted said the qualified staff team worked “very effectively”, and good organisation meant staff were able to work freely, greeting children and parents. The report said sensitive care was given to children who needed extra support, and work done in partnership with parents and other professionals ensured this additional care was met. As a result children were happy and settled and took part in a range of activities with friends.

Children's behaviour was considered good because staff were consistent with their expectations and encouraged children to learn right from wrong.

Ofsted said children learning English as an additional language had made good progress but too few opportunities were provided for them to use their home language in play and learning, something Ofsted said the pre-school needed to improve.

The report also recommended that mealtimes be treated as a chance to promote children's social development.

Pre-school manager Sandra Vincent said: “We moved into our new premises at Wroughton Infant School in January and we have worked very hard to improve standards. So we were delighted with this report.”

Meanwhile, the pre-school's annual sponsored toddle raised more than �350. Youngsters toddled from Wroughton Infant School to the Gorleston recreation ground where a picnic was held.