The chairman of a Breckland pre-school is 'absolutely thrilled' after it received a 'good' Ofsted rating two years after it was assessed as being 'inadequate'.

%image(14776845, type="article-full", alt="Saham Toney Pre-school has been rated "good" in its latest Ofsted inspection. Pictured left to right: Lindsay Ramsbotham, deputy supervisor; Laura Bridges, pre-school assistant, and supervisor Fiona Mitchell. Picture: Rebecca Murphy")

The report praised Saham Toney Pre-School's staff for being keen to 'access additional training to improve their knowledge and skills' and for their good relationships with both the children - who are made to 'feel safe and secure' - and their parents.

It said: 'Staff understand how to promote children's learning and carefully observe children to assess their level of development.

'Staff use this information to plan opportunities that are challenging and motivate children to learn.'

In February 2015 the pre-school was given an inadequate rating with the report stating the facility did not meet 'legal requirements for early years settings'.

The quality of teaching was described as 'weak' and the inspector said staff did not have an 'adequate understanding of how children learn'.

Two further inspections, in July 2015 and June 2016, saw the school better its rating to 'requires improvement'.

And in the latest inspection, which took place on May 2 this year, the school was given a 'good' rating in all four areas; effectiveness of the leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; personal development, behaviour and welfare, and outcomes for children.

Simon Rowling, chairman of the pre-school, said: 'We are absolutely thrilled.

'The result of the report is a reflection of the dedication and hard work put in from our supervisor Fiona Mitchell and her fantastic team.'

The report praised the pre-school - which has 18 children on roll - for preparing the children for their next stage of learning.

It added: 'Parents comment positively about the pre-school and the good progress children make.'

Recommended improvements included, providing opportunities for staff to 'reflect on their own and each other's teaching practice' and to 'support them to be confident to share teaching skills with each other to achieve high-quality teaching'.

And allowing more flexibility to for children who prefer to learn outdoors.