A PRESCHOOL in Lacock was highly praised for its fantastic teaching after being given an Outstanding report from OFSTED.

Wise Owls Preschool, in East Street, received outstanding results in all areas in its latest OFSTED after previously only being awarded satisfactory.

Inspector Angela Cogan singled out the quality of the teaching at the preschool highlighting how it is consistently outstanding and the children all make strong progress.

Supervisor Sally Ruddle, who has worked at the preschool for the past 10 years, said: “We were satisfactory before this review and now we have got an outstanding which is great.

“We put a lot of work into what we do and with the kids to make sure that they get the best education possible.

“We are in Lacock so we can get out and about with the children and we do lots of outdoor activities to enhance their learning.

“It was a surprise but at the same time we did put in a lot of hard work.”

The report details how children are very content and make strong progress thanks to the excellent support of the teachers.

It went on to say that staff use assessment exceptionally well to help children take strides in their development, across all areas of learning.

The preschool was seen to use highly effective systems to track children's progress and quickly target any gaps in development.

Mrs Ruddle, added: “We focus on planning through play so if we want them to count we go and tell them to count some leaves.

“Our learning is done in a play form so that the children are interested rather than it being a strict lesson.

“We choose things that they are interested in and are keen to pick up things that they like to help them learn.

“We like to get the kids involved in the village. The scarecrow trail is coming up soon and we are going to make a scarecrow with them.”

The report said: “Staff draw on their wealth of experience and their qualifications to develop very positive strategies to support disabled children and those who have special educational needs.

“Staff work with parents exceptionally well and provide a very consistent and highly effective approach to children's care and learning.

“The manager expertly reflects and evaluates the quality of the provision. She identifies staff training needs through highly effective supervisions and appraisal meetings.”