STAFF and pupils at a Sherborne St John pre-school are celebrating an ‘Outstanding’ rating from an education watchdog.

Piccolo Pre-school Nursery, in Chute Recreation Ground, Vyne Road, was praised for its “inspirational leadership” and safeguarding, and inspectors said that children are happy and well-motivated.

The recent grading marks even more progress for the nursery, which previously currently has 52 children on the register and was graded as ‘good’ in October 2009.

Claudia Cafarelli-Hunt and Jane Sherwood, who own the pre-school, said they have been working hard, since taking over in 2011, to put children at the heart of all their decisions.

Claudia said: “Our members of staff are one of our major assets. They are all qualified, and undergo training to make sure they’re up-to-date with all developments – but most importantly we work as a team.

“We all love the work we do, and we always go that extra mile to make sure all the children are achieving at their own pace, but consistently.

“We are very happy with our Ofsted report.

“It is wonderful to see that all the work we are all doing is having a big impact in all the children we have had the privilege to teach for a little while, and also to see them growing in confidence and independence for their next step.”

The Ofsted report praised the “inspirational leadership which drives continuous improvement in the nursery and supports staff to achieve a high level of quality in their practice with the children.”

The report also noted that safeguarding was carefully managed, and praised the “happy, child-focused and stimulating child learning environment.”

Claudia added that the response the nursery has had from parents of children at the nursery was overwhelmingly positive.