A PRE-SCHOOL has been praised in an inspection report for making improvements.

St Peter and St Paul’s Church of England Pre-School in Blackburn Road, Rishton, has been re-inspected by Ofsted and was judged to be good.

Last year, inspectors found the pre-school was under-performing and judged it to require improvement.

But a new inspection was carried out last month and inspectors said managers and staff had made significant improvements since then.

There are currently 26 children aged between two and four on the roll at the pre-school, which serves as a feeder establishment for the primary school.

Last year, inspectors said staff's teaching was inconsistent and outcomes for children were not consistently good enough.

Managers were criticised for not monitoring staff practice well enough to ensure they always identify and address weaknesses.

But inspectors revisited the pre-school last month and found the situation had changed.

In a report detailing the visit, inspector Charlotte Bowe said: "The managers and leaders have significantly enhanced their practice since the last inspection.

"Their key focus on supporting children's learning across the prime areas

helps to secure the foundations for future learning.

"Children are happy and feel at home in their appealing surroundings. They gain the skills they require for school.

"Staff welcome children with a friendly smile. Effective distraction methods, such as providing special comfort items or finding a favourite toy, help children who are new to the pre-school to feel settled and assured on arrival.

"Newly implemented key-group times provide opportunities for children to form a special bond with their key person.

"Staff are warm and caring. They encourage all children to be friendly towards one another and to adopt 'kind hands and listening ears'.

"They provide meaningful learning experiences that incorporate children's interests and strongly support what they need to learn next.

"All children make good progress."