HOLMES Chapel Community Preschool has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted for the second time in a row.

The education watchdog visited the Middlewich Road premises on October 17 and gave a ‘score’ in all four of the key areas: leadership, quality of teaching, personal development and outcomes.

Holmes Chapel maintained the previous standard it set in 2015 but was not yet ‘outstanding’ because ‘there are occasions where children are not encouraged to develop their own ideas’.

Sarah Rhodes, Ofsted inspector, said: “The management team clearly understand their role in safeguarding children, ensuring good administration and striving for excellence.

“Staff are well motivated and use a range of teaching methods to enthuse children. They fully immerse themselves in children’s play and ask pertinent questions.

“Children behave well. They develop a clear understanding of how to treat others with kindness and respect, as they follow the courteous example of staff.

“Most children are working comfortably within the range of development typical for their age and they make good progress. Their confidence and curiosity is well supported.

“To further improve the provider should enhance the way information about children’s next step in learning is shared with all staff.”

The inspector observed a number of activities indoors and outdoors as well as speaking to staff, the pre-school manager and parents.