STAFF and parents’ hard work has paid off after a Bicester pre-school was rated good by Ofsted.

For the past two inspections, Jack and Jill Pre-school was rated satisfactory. But when inspectors visited the Shakespeare Drive site in December, it was graded as good.

In her report, inspector Shelia Harrison said staff were good role models and helped children make “very good progress in their learning and development”.

Pre-school supervisor Rebecca Barker said: “We have been working really hard over the last 18 to 24 months so we are really, really pleased.”

In the past two years, Ms Barker said the pre-school had re-planned the inside of the community centre, which it shares with other groups, with areas for each activity, and had invested in new equipment and staff training.

Pre-school chairman Sophie Hill said: “I am so proud of the staff and the support from the parents.”There are 54 children on the pre-school’s books from age two to five. It was set up more than 25 years ago and is a registered charity.

The report said it was not yet outstanding because circle time was not always organised well, and snack time did not promote children’s independence or ensure they learned about healthy eating.

Read the full report: Jack n Jill Ofsted Report Jan 2014.PDF