THE staff and children at Flitch Green Pre-School have raced out of the blocks and received an outstanding Ofsted report just five months after opening. The Montessori pre-school, which is based within Flitch Green Primary School, opened in September.

THE staff and children at Flitch Green Pre-School have raced out of the blocks and received an 'outstanding' Ofsted report just five months after opening.

The Montessori pre-school, which is based within Flitch Green Primary School, opened in September with 53 new children all having to be settled into their surroundings by the new team of staff.

However, the findings of a surprise Ofsted inspection at the end of January have been released this week and the school, owned by Michelle Wisbey and run by manager Carly Gold, passed with top marks.

Inspector Sarah Williams wrote in her report: "Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Children benefit from excellent opportunities to make maximum progress in both their learning and development.

"Children's uniqueness is recognised, and the extremely high quality of leadership and management ensures that every child is fully included and receives support for their individual welfare and learning needs."

The inspector was quick to point out the progress made by the budding pre-school in such a short space of time.

"Progress and development since registration have been remarkable," she wrote. "The setting has quickly become established as an integral part of the school, with the result that children benefit from contact with the whole community, including their siblings, families, visitors and school staff."

The wide choice of activities for the children, which even includes yoga classes, was highlighted by the inspector, as was the encouragement of the children to be independent and self-motivated.

The report's recommended steps to further improve the provision of education were simply to continue to develop the environment and maximise learning opportunities.

That is the aim for the fledgling pre-school, which has big plans to move from their classroom in the primary school to a brand new, purpose-built building within the grounds in time for the new school year.

"To get an outstanding report at the first time of asking is a wonderful achievement for the pre-school," said Mrs Gold. "I'm so proud of the staff, they've worked so hard, and the children have settled in so well and so quickly.

Mrs Wisbey added: "It's been a busy couple of months, but thanks to the primary school and the headteacher Helen Johnson, we've all felt at home straight away. Things have started well and the future looks bright.