AN out of school club where staff nurture children’s ‘well-developed knowledge of the world’ has received the highest possible rating from Ofsted.

Little Leigh Out of School club, based at Little Leigh Primary School in Shutley Lane, has been judged ‘outstanding’ after an Ofsted inspection on July 14.

The club – which inspectors say is tailored to individual needs - has improved from its last inspection when it was rated ‘good’.

The latest report reads: “All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make excellent progress.

“They benefit, at all times, from staff's deep, expertly applied knowledge of how children learn.

“Parents praise the partnership between the club and the school.

“This helped everyone to work together effectively to keep children safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“School-age children make seamless daily transitions between home, the club and their classrooms.

“This helps to promote their physical and emotional wellbeing.

“The joined-up approach also helps pre-school children to feel ready and eager to make the move to school.

“School staff visit the club to read stories.

“Club staff take children to visit their new classroom and teacher.”

An Ofsted inspector praised the manager’s ‘inspiring, ongoing dialogue’ and the ‘experienced, well-qualified staff’.

The curriculum is also ‘sequenced extremely effectively’.

The report continued: “A golden thread of inclusion runs through the curriculum.

“The manager drives learning and discussion about the individual differences that make communities rich and diverse.

“Children learn to balance their own desires with those of other people.

“They learn to be positive and rational when difficulties arise.

“As a result, children's behaviour is lively and considerate.”

The arrangements for safeguarding were also found to be effective by the inspector.

Little Leigh Out of School club was first registered in 2015.

The before-and-after-school clubs and the pre-school open from Monday to Friday during school terms, with a holiday club operating during school holidays.

Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.

The club also provides funded early education for two, three and four-year-old children.