A Watford pre-school where “children are at the heart of everything that happens” has been rated ‘outstanding’.

Precious Playdays, in Durban Road West, was inspected by Ofsted on March 26 and given the highest possible grade in all categories.

The report, published on Friday (May 3), found that children confidently lead their own learning and staff have exceptional knowledge of all the children at the pre-school.

The inspector said: “Staff successfully deliver a carefully constructed and highly effective curriculum that builds on every child's individual starting points.

“Children are at the heart of everything that happens at the pre-school. Staff fully understand the impact their positive interactions have on children's learning and development.”

Ofsted described how staff focus on physical interactions when children start, to build secure and trusting relationships. This apparently leads to strong bonds quickly forming and so kids "thrive".

“Careful planning leads to children’s experiences developing in a methodical way,” it added, explaining that there is a calm atmosphere throughout the pre-school.

Safeguarding arrangements were found to be effective with an “open and positive culture” putting children’s interests first.

Watford Observer: Precious playdays team and kids celebrate the 'outstanding' rating.Precious playdays team and kids celebrate the 'outstanding' rating. (Image: Precious Playdays)

Precious Playdays offers 25 places and currently has 20 children, aged two-to-four, on its roll.

It operates from 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday during term-time.

The pre-school previously ran at Trinity Methodist Church in Whippendell Road. After the last inspection in 2017, when it was registered at its former location, it was rated ‘good’ overall while holding an ‘outstanding’ grade in one category.

Owner, and co-manager alongside Peace Okyere, Lianne Maltman said: “We are so pleased to have been graded as 'outstanding' by Ofsted. Peace and I have worked tirelessly to construct our unique approach to early childhood education, and our team has adopted it to such a high standard.

“I am looking forward to researching our approach, the Precious Approach, with UCL for my PhD.

“We currently have spaces for the summer and autumn term, so we look forward to welcoming new parents into our setting. Peace and I would like to thank our wonderful families and practitioners for their endless support.”