Pre-school gets glowing Ofsted report

Happytime Pre-School was inspected by Ofsted a few months after Mrs Hamblin took over its operations.

Inspector Kerry Iden reported that all areas of learning, development and care were good. She also commented how every child had a warm and affectionate relationship with the staff who constantly encouraged their independence and confidence with praise.

The pre-school, based at the North Bersted Youth and Community Centre on North Bersted Street, has 27 children aged two to five years.

They can attend between 9.15am and 1.15pm, including an optional hour for lunch.

Mrs Hamblin (32) said: 'The extended hour has been a big improvement for working mothers who find it hard to collect their children at 12.15pm, and they can choose how many days they stay.'

With 14 years' experience, she worked at Happytime in North Bersted for two years as an assistant before the chance arose to buy the business last September.

She was also praised by Ms Iden: 'The provider is committed to offering all children an inclusive environment to play and learn in.

'She is very good at identifying her own strengths and weaknesses and clearly wants to enhance children's personal development and achievements.'

Ms Iden added that large group times needed to be planned through the session to improve the provision and the children should be encouraged to develop maths skills.