A PRE-SCHOOL group based at a Blackburn church has been given a glowing report by Ofsted inspectors.

Feniscowles Pre-school provides a happy, secure, and productive environment for two to four year olds to learn, the inspectors found.

They also found the youngsters made good progress and were keen and eager to learn. "The staff's lively, positive approach to teaching has a good effect on childrens' learning across all areas but is particularly effective in personal, social and emotional development, communication, language and literacy and knowledge and understanding of the world," the Ofsted report said.

The pre-school, based at Feniscowles Methodist Church, Preston Old Road, opened in 1967 and caters for 56 children. It opens every weekday morning and two afternoons a week and there are five full-time qualified staff.

The inspectors found the pre-school had made good progress since its last inspection.

Among the areas praised were the well balanced programme of activities; children's personal, social and emotional development was very good and effective teaching motivated and sustained the children's interest.

Areas in which the pre-school could improve included making sure the activities matched the needs and levels of different groups, and more planning of lessons for four-year-olds and those who learn more quickly.

Supervisor Jean Hewitt said: "Our aim is to continue to provide a valuable service and to build on our success."