The pre-school has developed a partnership with Minety primary school to help prepare children for the move to formal schooling and abolish first school-day nerves for parents and children.
Heather Pilcher, a member of the pre-school parental committee, said, 'Children begin by attending classes once a week in their first term, with a recognisable teacher. This is extended to three days a week in the second term, which includes interaction with older children, eventually leading to full-time attendance.'
Schools minister Jacqui Smith said, 'Schools which have gained this award... deliver a first-class, constantly improving service and are making the best of the resources available to them.'