A nursery playgroup in Potters Bar is celebrating a top-notch rating from Ofsted.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: St John's Playgroup staff and children celebrate an outstanding Ofsted report. Picture: DANNY LOOSt John's Playgroup staff and children celebrate an outstanding Ofsted report. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

After an inspection on November 18, St John’s Nursery Playgroup at Oakmere School on Chace Avenue learned in January that they had been rated ‘outstanding’ by the government inspectors.

The coveted rating applied to all four measures that inspectors considered when they rated the Potters Bar playgroup: leadership effectiveness, quality of teaching, personal development, and outcomes for children.

The report said staff are “inspiring”, saying “their teaching is exceptional”.

The report described how activities help the little ones learn at all levels of ability, and that they have a wealth of “exciting” resources both indoors and outdoors.

“Children have extremely positive attitudes to learning,” continues the report, after describing how they improve quickly from various different starting points.

“I am thrilled that we have achieved this grading,” said playgroup leader Alyson Gnessen.

“It is the culmination of a few years of hard work and having an amazing staff team who have a passion for working with children and love the children we work with.

“We don’t just support the children, we support their families too, and help them with many aspects of family life.

“I wanted to thank all our current, and past families who have put their faith in us and sent their children to our setting.”