Little Lambs Preschool receives 'good' Ofsted rating

Little Lambs Preschool, based in Winklebury Centre, received the rating after being inspected on Thursday, September 14. It was previously rated 'good' in September 2018. 

A report into the inspection was published on Wednesday, October 18, and said that children "enjoy their time at the pre-school", adding: "Staff place a strong focus on building children's personal, social and emotional wellbeing. Children benefit from the trusting and respectful relationships they develop with staff and their friends."

Ofsted found that younger and new children settle happily, as staff offer "a warm welcome" to the pre-school.

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The preschool was inspected on Thursday, September 14 and received a 'Good' rating (Image: Little Lambs Preschool)

It also said that children listen to staff and respond well to them when waiting for toys and resources.

The report continued: "The curriculum is varied and enables all children to make good progress from their starting points. Staff create activities which ignite children's curiosity." 

The preschool's good management system was praised, the report noting that the manager has "a clear and ambitious curriculum which is shared with her staff".

It added: "The staff team, with the committee, works together to ensure children benefit from high-quality care and learning. Children are well prepared for their future learning, including their eventual transition to school."

Staff receive regular supervision and support from the manager, with staff adding they feel "valued, respected and their views are listened to".

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The inspection reported that parents speak positively of the preschool, saying that staff are "kind and caring, and take time to get to know their children". 

Preschool manager, Mhairi Kirkaldy said: "A 'good' rating is an amazing achievement for Little Lambs Preschool. The staff have worked so hard over the last year implementing new changes and growth as a preschool to be the best for the children and families.

"We have lovely parents that we love working with to help and support the children to thrive and grow. The children have a fantastic time at Little Lambs and always go home happy and smiling. We are not afraid of getting messy at Little Lambs and you can always find us climbing trees, in the mud kitchen or the water tray. We are so excited for what is in store for the future."

Chair of Little Lambs Preschool management committee, Revd John Wigmore, said: "We are constantly getting great feedback from parents who can see how their children flourish in Little Lambs. We also get encouraging comments from the schools that our children move up to. 

"It's good to know that Ofsted shares these very positive views. We are really proud of the staff team that Mhairi, our manager, has built around her who, with Mhairi, show such care to the children and their families."