YOUNGSTERS at a village group are celebrating after getting top marks in an education watchdog report.

Bright Minds Nursery and Pre-School, which is based in Bournheath Community Centre, Claypit Lane, was given a ‘good’ in its Ofsted inspection.

The facility opened last year and can cater for up to 26 children. It is open three days a week during term time.

The report said that children’s sense of community and imaginative play were both particular strengths in the group and the quality of teaching and learning is good.

Children are also given lots of opportunities to engage in spontaneous conversation, as well as responding to open-ended questions by staff.

It said that staff have high regard for children’s well-being and staff and children have strong relationships so the youngsters show curiosity and an ability to explore and ask questions of adults and each other.

To improve the quality and standards of care further it was recommended there needed to be an increase in opportunities for children to self-select resources and become autonomous workers.

To improve nursery education further a rigorous evaluating system needed to be developed and learning opportunities in the outdoor environment need to be expanded.

Tina Andress, from Bright Minds Nursery, said: “We are over the moon with the report and look forward to building on what are already very strong foundations.”