Pre-school pupils delighted with outstanding rating

STAFF and children at St Alban’s Pre-School are celebrating top marks following their recent Ofsted inspection.

And what makes it even more special is that it’s a double – as the main St Alban’s Catholic Primary School gained its own outstanding rating last autumn.

The pre-school, set on a leafy site off Priory Lane in Macclesfield, was judged to be outstanding in all three areas – how well the early years provision meets the needs of the children, its contribution to the children’s wellbeing and the effectiveness of its leadership and manage- ment.

Inspectors said the preschool has a friendly, community-based atmosphere where pre-schoolers settle in quickly and make friends with the staff and, importantly, each other and that pre-school prepared children well for the ‘big step up to reception’.

Teaching was judged to be outstanding, with ‘excellent staff who understand the children’s abilities well’ and are able to provide a vibrant range of activities for the children to enjoy during the day.

Elaine Mercer, head of the pre-school said: “We are all absolutely thrilled with our report, and so proud of all our staff and children.”