Pre-school near Shrewsbury to mark double celebration

A Shropshire pre-school awarded outstanding in every category by Ofsted just weeks after they achieved charity status will celebrate with a special party for children and their families.

Christchurch Pre-School and Nursery in Bayston Hill, near Shrewsbury, was previously a not-for-profit organisation but the committee voted to apply for charitable status to allow them to fundraise and plough profits back into resources and activities.

And now they have received the news that they are an 'Outstanding' nursery and pre-school.

Christchurch received outstanding for effectiveness of leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, behaviour and welfare and outcomes for children.

Inspector Lesley Bott said in her report: "The superior quality of staff's teaching extends and inspires all aspects of children's learning and development.

"Staff support all children to make rapid progress in all areas of their learning and development and this contributes in ensuring that children are ready for school.

"Staff are enthusiastic and their excellent teaching motivates children to concentrate and keep trying to enjoy success."

The charity status is now official and on November 4 at 1.30pm staff will open the doors to welcome the children and their families to help them celebrate the double achievement.

Laura Swain, parent and chair of the CCPSN Committee, said: “We have always known that the staff at Christchurch are outstanding and we are over the moon that they, and their work with the children, have been recognised by Ofsted.

"We are delighted with the report and cannot wait to celebrate with everyone on November 4.

“The new charity status brings many benefits to the nursery and the children, such as being able to fundraise in the wider community and being able to reinvest profits back into resources and activities.

“This move can only broaden the children’s experiences at Christchurch Nursery and we have already made a subsidised Forest School a permanent feature of our curriculum, and are currently arranging weekly sessions by external specialist pre-school companies specialising in subjects such as drama, dance and language.

“The November party will be a celebration, we have entertainment for the children and a big cake to mark the occasion.

“We hope that parents, children, the local community and representatives from the school will be able to attend.”

Charitable childcare providers strongly encourage the involvement of parents and a number of new parents have joined the committee.

Christchurch Pre-School and Nursery is based in Longmeadow, Bayston Hill, on the site of Oakmeadow School, alongside the school’s own pre-school nursery, and takes children from the age of two right up until school entry.

All are welcome to attend the November 4 event and help Christchurch to celebrate.

For more information about the pre-school and nursery contact Di Scoggins on (01743) 875029 or email christchurchpreschoolnursery@gmail.com