CHILDREN at Bury Playgroup are provided with good communication skills, are encouraged to use their imagination, and are happy and content with the group s environment. According to the latest inspection by Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, c

CHILDREN at Bury Playgroup are provided with good communication skills, are encouraged to use their imagination, and are happy and content with the group's environment.

According to the latest inspection by Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, children also develop creative skills as they paint and explore music through planned activities.

Staff at the playgroup, which caters for children between two and five years old, also encourage learning through the use of mathematical games on a computer, and give the children plenty of opportunity to play outdoors in the fresh air.

Inspectors also found that children learn about healthy eating because of topic work, such as "five a day", and they are provided with nutritious snacks such as fruit and vegetables.

The report adds: "Children are cared for in a welcoming secure indoor and outdoor environment.

"Staff carry out daily checks of the premises to ensure they are safe before the children arrive, monitor access to the premises, and keep a record of all visitors."

There was also praise for the staff who have a "good understanding of how children learn".

The report adds: "Children are happy and content because staff have developed warm and caring relationships with them."

INFORMATION: Bury Playgroup opened in 1986 and is based in the village community centre. It opens five mornings a week during term time, from 9.15-11.45am. There are 30 children from two years nine months to five years on the roll.