STAFF are celebrating after their teaching was given the thumbs-up at a pre-school.

College Pre-School, based at Thurrock & Basildon College, in Nethermayne, Basildon, has been rated good by Ofsted.

Inspectors said the preschool had improved since its previous rating, which was satisfactory in 2009.

They praised good quality teaching, which encouraged children to learn, and the good relationships between the staff and pupils. Ofsted also said parents were fully involved with the pre-school and were well informed about their progress.

Management and staff were praised for monitoring the nursery well and carrying out thorough evaluations and inspectors also said children were safe.

In order to improve further staff have been told to focus on putting forward more opportunities for children to investigate and explore.

The pre school was inspected in May, with the findings published yesterday.