AN ‘outstanding’ Knutsford pre-school has celebrated 20 years of caring for children from across the borough.

St Vincent’s Pre-School Playgroup, on Manor Park South, hosted a special tea-party for children who have attended both past and present and more than 80 people turned up to join the celebrations.

The pre-school staff also created a ‘memory book’ for those who wished to share their experiences of the centre.

Cath Davies, supervisor at St Vincent’s who has worked there for 19 years, wrote: “Having the privilege of being involved with so many special children and their families, building up a fantastic team who support myself and have the welfare of the children at their hearts.”

The anniversary comes just 2 months after the pre-school celebrated its third ‘outstanding’ OFSTED report in a row.

The report stated: “Inspirational leaders and managers are highly skilled and enthusiastic about their work.

“The highly qualified staff team is focused and passionate about their roles. They benefit from ongoing training and development to continually build on their skills.”

Gina Fletcher, who has worked at the centre for 10 years, said that the majority of staff have been working there for long periods of time.

“Most of the staff have been here for a long time because it’s a really nice place to work,” she said. “That’s why everyone stays so long.”

The pre-school is currently in the middle of a fundraising campaign to raise around £200,000 for a new building.

As well as providing pre-school facilities, the team also runs an after-school club for children whose parents work outside school hours.

Cath is hoping to raise the full funding for the new building, which will give the group more space, and allow there to be clearer division between the age groups.