Glowing Ofsted for pre and after school clubs

10:36am Monday 12th May 2008

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A BLACKBURN pre-school and after-school club is celebrating after being rated "outstanding" in all areas by Government watchdog Ofsted.

The Out of School Experience in Dukes Brow received one of the best Ofsted reports to be given to pre-schools in the borough.

Following a visit to Adelaide House, where the privately-owned clubs - which also includes a holiday play scheme - are based, in March, inspectors were glowing in their praise.

All five assessment areas - helping children to be healthy; protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe; helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do; helping children make a positive contribution; and organisation - were deemed outstanding, putting The Out of School Experience in the top 14per cent of the country's nurseries, schools and colleges.

Inspectors said: "The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding.

"Staff demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the early learning goals and understand how to promote it effectively so that children of all ages receive appropriate challenges in all areas of learning."

The report highlighted the exemplary way children are encouraged to be healthy: "Children are extremely well nourished through the provision of well balanced, healthy snacks and drinks.

"The setting promotes a comprehensive healthy eating campaign which involves all the children, their parents and specialists in the community.

"Children are busy and active through regular physical play both indoors and outdoors, which contributes to keeping them healthy.

"The children are very busy in a setting that is rich in resources and which provides stimulating activities."

Managing director Jacqui McVittie said she had a fantastic team at the centre and pregnant senior manager Stephanie Garswood had come to work on the day of the inspection even though it was the day she was due to give birth!.

Ms McVittie said: "We are absolutely thrilled.

"In our last report we were described as good with areas of outstanding practice so we have built on all the feedback we received and have striven for excellence in every area.

"What is also so pleasing about this report is that it comments on how the children are happy and enjoy their time here, which makes it all worthwhile."

The Out of School Experience opened in 2001 and has four sites in Blackburn: Adelaide House, Redeemer Primary School in Jack Walker Way, Meadowhead Infant School in Shorrock Road and Shadsworth Children's Centre in Shadsworth Road.

The pre-school is from 9.30am to 12.30pm and the after-school club is for older children from 3pm to 6pm daily in term time. It also provides fun and educational childcare during school holidays.