CHILDREN, staff and parents at a Runcorn playgroup are celebrating after achieiving a good Ofsted inspection.

Gorsewood Pre-School in Murdishaw has made great progress after receiving a lower ‘requires improvement’ grade in 2010.

In a report, Ofsted inspector Anne Parker said: “Staff plan interesting activities to engage children and use effective teaching techniques that promote children’s learning and development.

“Children are making consistent, and in some cases, rapid progress in communication and language skills.

“Managers have a good understanding of their responsibilities to keep children safe. There are robust policies and procedures in place to protect chhildren.

“Staff know the children well because they carefully observe them and spend time chatting to parents to find out about their child’s needs. This means that they know about children’s interests, routines and learning styles.

“The setting is well resourced and organised.”

The playgroup opened in 1978 and is based in a room at Gorsewood Primary School.

It is managed by a committee of parents. Six members of staff provide part-time education for 46 children aged two to four.

Deputy manager Danielle Edwards said: “We are really proud of our achievements over the past three and a half years.

“We have worked really hard, including parents to achieve this outcome.

“I feel it’s important to let people in the community know of our hard work and commitment.

“We have a strong team, along with the parents, committee and children and we look forward to many more years of fun.”