Wheathampstead Playgroup is celebrating after receiving an Outstanding Ofsted report.
Inspectors, who visited in November, gave top marks in all four categories - leadership, teaching, development, and outcomes for children.
Manager Samantha Sinclair said: “I am delighted to have received an outstanding judgement from Ofsted having only been here for 17 months.
“Every manager strives to achieve the best at every setting they work in, and with an excellent team behind them it is possible.
“Only a small amount of providers achieve this level and we are over the moon with the outcome as everyone works so hard and I couldn’t ask for anything else.
“The playgroup has been here almost 40 years now, and we hope to keep serving the community for many more years to come.”
The playgroup was told it must improve children’s thinking skills, but added the way staff already did this was excellent.
The support given to children with disabilities, how a child’s progress is monitored, and the range of activities were praised.
The playgroup’s chair of trustees Andrew Musgrave said: “For me I would like to say that I was really pleased to receive the Ofsted result as I know how much hard work and change had been undertaken by the team to get there.
“I think it shows how a charity can work well to achieve its goals if all parts of the team work and support each other, and that is through the staff, the manager and the trustees.”
“Wheathampstead Playgroup has always been about providing the best start for children in the area and it is satisfying to see that being recognized by Ofsted.”
Parent Gemma Bertram said: “The reason I sent my daughter Mia to this playgroup is my eldest daughter had attended playgroup when she was younger, so I knew how beneficial it would be to Mia.
“Also the playgroup itself is in a wonderful setting and the staff are so friendly and supportive to both the children and families.
“Mia adores attending playgroup, in fact I think if she could go all day every day she would. There is such a variety of activities for the children to participate in and their confidence and independence is encouraged. The playgroup and its staff are a huge asset to the village.”
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