A PRE-SCHOOL where children “relish making play dough” and “learn to master the use of a pasta making machine” has been hailed by Ofsted in its first report.

Rivenstars, in Rivenhall, has seen huge success from its first inspection report, as it was given outstanding ratings across the board.

The facility, which was funded by a grant from Essex County Council, opened its doors in September 2019, and provides childcare from the age of two.

Rivenstars has been rated outstanding for its education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

In the report, the inspector found that “children are welcomed into a truly inspiring, language-rich environment”, and that “all children flourish and make exceptional progress”.

It praised staff as “motivated and nurturing”, and said that they “pitch their quality teaching at the highest level and the children excel in their development”.

The report also said: “Children relish making their own play dough and talk about needing more water as the mixture is too dry.

“Other children show sustained levels of concentration and persevere as they master the challenge of using a pasta making machine.”

Rivenstars manager Ruth Hassey was delighted with the achievement.

She said: “We were told at the end of our inspection, and we couldn’t say until the report was released.

“We have had to keep it under our hats, which was hard because we were really excited.

“Everybody is apprehensive when you have an inspector come, but they were really nice.

“You just have to remember they are there to see through the eyes of the children and what it is like.

“But I am just so proud of my team, and it is really rewarding, especially after the couple of years we have had.

“I am very lucky to have the support from my family, who have really had to take second seat to the business in recent times.

“I just want to show everybody that it is achievable. We are only a small setting compared to some of the bigger chains, and it just shows it is do-able.”