A BOLTON playgroup has been given top marks by classroom watchdogs.

Ofsted inspectors failed to find anything to criticise during a recent visit to St Thomas of Canterbury play group. They said the playgroup based on Eastbourne Grove, Heaton had addressed all the issues raised in the last inspection and gave it clean bill of health. The only recommendation for management is to keep up the good work.

Inspectors judged all areas tested good or very good and said the playgroup helps children work towards all the official developmental milestones for five-year-olds.

They were particularly impressed by the way staff treat children as individuals and adapt, language, literacy and mathematical work accordingly. Inspectors also praised the strong approach to creative work and the way the children are encouraged to be independent in their learning, particularly when using the computer. Children were found to be well behaved, kind and considerate with an impressive ability to concentrate and persevere.

The quality of teaching is also very good and good relationships between the staff and between teachers and parents have a positive effect on childrens' progress, said the report. The inspectors concluded: "St Thomas of Canterbury Pre-School Academy provides a good balanced programme of activities in which children are likely to achieve the desirable learning outcomes in most areas of learning by the time they are five-years old."

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