A PRE-school in Ilkley has retained its ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted following a recent inspection.

Following the visit, Ofsted noted Ilkley Pre-School Playgroup, based at Friends Meeting House in Queen’s Road, was praised by parents for its care.

The report said: “Staff have a good understanding of how children learn.

“They plan and provide activities based on children’s interests.

“This helps children to concentrate for extended periods of time on activities.

“Staff provide activities that help younger children to interact with their older peers so that they enjoy learning together.

"The staff's warm and affectionate manner supports children's personal development and well-being effectively.

“Children are happy and settled at the pre-school and their behaviour is good.

"The staff's support and positive role modelling help children to develop respectful relationships with staff and their peers."

To become Outstanding, the pre-school was it needs to improve its monitoring of staff practice to develop their teaching skills further, improve planning for outdoor play to help benefit children more, and to extend its professional development of staff to raise standards of teaching even further.

The playgroup, founded in 2014, provides care for up to 24 children aged two to four, and has three members of staff, all who have early years qualification at Level 2 or above, with one holding Level 6 qualifications.