The group has two morning sessions a week held at Glaisdale’s Robinson Institute with 26 children aged from two to five at each.

Ofsted inspectors reported that four of the group’s five staff members had a childcare qualification at level three to six and one had Early Years Professional Status.

Parents were invited to be on a parent rota to give support at the sessions and the playgroup received advice and guidance from the local authority. It was also a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

The inspectors said that overall the quality of provision was good and the children benefited from an environment that fully supported their individual needs.

The staff provided effectively for the children in the Early Years Foundation Stage to enable them to settle and make good progress.

In order to improve further the children should be given the time and opportunity to be more independent during snack time and to take responsibility in preparing food and serving themselves.

There was praise for the “very good support” of the playgroup’s management committee whose members worked in a positive way to ensure they valued the parents’ contribution.

The inspectors were also impressed by a regular newsletter aiming to keep parents informed of the playgroup plans and the activities provided for the children.

Parent questionnaires offered additional information.

They were pleased that the playgroup played an active part in the local community and had good working relationships with the village school.

It enabled children to be confident about their transition into the school as they were familiar with the surroundings and staff through the effective partnerships established.

The children were confident learners, making use of all areas of the playgroup.

They chose themselves from the range of resources and activities provided and were independent in most areas of their care and learning.

Children developed speaking and listening skills very well through the close relationships established with each other and the staff.

They were actively involved in their community, bought their snack food from the local shop and attended the village church at special times of the year.

They saw animals in their natural habitat and were able to hold newly hatched baby chicks.

They enjoyed trips to a farm and had visitors to the playgroup including musicians.

Playgroup head Janet Houlston said: “We were very pleased with the report which is due to the hard work of the staff and parents and we’ve already started to put in place the improvements recommended by the inspectors.”