A PRE-SCHOOL in Blackburn was given top marks in its latest Ofsted report.

West Brookhouse Pre-School in Randal Street was described by inspectors as "excellent" and was given no key issues to address following the report.

The school has around 46 three and four-year-olds attending, all from ethnic minority backgrounds where English is the second language, and the staff were praised for promoting language and literacy.

The pre-school was also noted for providing a good range of educational activities through which the children reach all the necessary learning levels by the time they are five.

The report added: "Staff organise an interesting range of learning activities and interact well with the children.

"Relationships between parents and staff are good and are reflected in the good opinions that parents have of the pre-school."

However, although Ofsted inspectors found no significant weaknesses they asked staff to consider ways to involve parents more actively in sessions and assessments.

Since the previous inspection took place in 1998, the school has a new name, different premises and a different person in charge and inspectors reported that "sound progress" had been made to establish the school in its new location and with a change of leadership.