FOUR preschools from Nailsea and Clevedon and a childminder from Portishead are celebrating after being judged as outstanding.

FOUR preschools from Nailsea and Clevedon and a childminder from Portishead are celebrating after being judged as outstanding.

Clevedon Montessori School, Rydal Day Nursery, and Little Sparklers Academy of Fun from Clevedon, Church Lane Preschool in Nailsea and childminder Liz Maggs from Portishead were invited to a special reception in London to mark their achievements.

Liz, aged 40, of Hillside, said: "I'm really pleased with the report. I was judged as outstanding on all of the criteria. I really believe in looking after children and educating them from an early age."

The mother-of-two was praised for having a 'child friendly home which offered a welcoming and vibrant environment'.

Liz, who looks after youngsters from 0-13, built a play area in her back garden for the youngsters and takes them on regular trips to Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall and Legoland.

She has now been recognised as in the top three per cent of child care providers in the country.

Ruth Sheffield from Church Lane Preschool in Nailsea has put the rating down to staff expertise and the high ratio of adults to children so they can meet the needs of each youngster.

The preschool, which is held at Holy Trinity Church Hall, caters for 24 youngsters per session and five members of staff are on hand at all times.

Ruth said: "We encourage a lot of small group and individual input from the adults which helps each child to reach their full potential."

In her report, Ofsted inspector Carol Cox said: "The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Children make excellent progress in all areas of learning through a wealth of carefully planned activities which children freely choose."

Maureen Burgoyne, owner of Clevedon Montessori Nursery School in Albert Road, is also very proud of her team's achievement.

She said: "As a whole team we are pleased and proud to have our best practice acknowledged by retaining our outstanding Ofsted status. It proves Montessori education offers the highest quality possible."

Cllr Jeremy Blatchford, North Somerset's executive member for children and young people's services said: "Preschool education in North Somerset is regarded as one of the finest in the country and these are outstanding examples of what can be achieved.

"I congratulate them whole heartedly. Winning this accolade is far from easy.