CLIMBING trees and hunting for bugs will get you further in life than you might think.

Crowmarsh Pre-school near Wallingford, which takes its children on regular ‘forest schools’ like this, has just been rated ‘outstanding’ for a second time by the Ofsted.

Inspectors who visited on Tuesday, June 23, said the quality of teaching was “excellent” and staff used “skilful questioning” during play activities.

They wrote: “This makes it easy for children to become absorbed in their play and helps them take big steps forward in their learning.”

They particularly noted how the pre-school learnt from the outcome of playing and learning in the forest school to improve their practice.

Pre-school manager Dilys Beaumont said: “We are delighted to have maintained our outstanding rating.

“I think it is down to the dedication of our hard-working staff who are totally dedicated to the children.”

The pre-school in Old Reading Road, Crowmarsh Gifford, currently has 45 children on role, from age two to five.

When it was last inspected in November 2011, it also made Ofsted’s top grade of outstanding.

The pre-school is now looking to take on an extra member of staff. Visit crowmarshpre-school.org.uk