Second verdict to vindicate parents' faith in pre-school

A Keynsham pre-school has received a good Ofsted report less than three months after it was given a notice to improve.

Bath and North East Somerset Council froze funding for Treasure Island pre-school after Ofsted inspectors visited in December and gave it "inadequate" ratings in all but one of 16 categories.

There was an outcry from parents, who felt the Ofsted report was too harsh and inspectors revisited the pre-school in Elim Pentecostal Church, Balmoral Road, last week.

This time staff say they have been given gave "good" scores for every category.

Treasure Island founder Jenny Morgan resigned after the critical report and the deputy manager Vicky Burford now runs the pre-school.

Ms Burford said: "We have not received the latest Ofsted report yet but I have been told that we have been classed as good in every area."

Funding is now expected to be made available by the district council.

Bath and North East Somerset Council's early years team was due to meet the staff of Treasure Island last week to see if the pre-school could draw up an action plan to address the criticisms in the first Ofsted report.

Now the council is awaiting formal notification of the new Ofsted rating.

A council spokesman said: "If the rating has improved, the pre-school's early years entitlement will be unfrozen in line with the local code of practice."

Deborah Redwood, 33, a primary school teacher whose twin sons Jacob and Finley, four, go to Treasure Island, said: "I have heard that the rating has improved and we are just waiting to see the report published now. I understand the scores have gone up two levels in all areas.

"Obviously parents are really pleased because it will mean the council will unfreeze funding."

Mrs Redwood, of Dapps Hill, Keynsham, was among 37 parents who had been facing the prospect of finding another pre-school at short notice had Treasure Island been forced to close.