A PLAYGROUP and after-school club based in Rhyl is celebrating after it received an extremely positive inspection report.

Little Lambs Emmanuel, based at Ysgol Emmanuel on Victoria Road, was hailed by education inspectorate Estyn, which visited in February.

Estyn rated it as “excellent” in four areas (wellbeing, care and development, teaching, leadership) and “good” in two (learning and environment).

It was handed one recommendation – to increase staff members’ use of Welsh vocabulary with its children.

Rhyl Journal: Children at Little Lambs EmmanuelChildren at Little Lambs Emmanuel (Image: Samantha Maitland-Price)

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Inspectors found that children at Little Lambs Emmanuel “are happy and settle well,” and “have an extremely strong voice”.

They were found to “cope well” as they separate from parents and carers for the day, and “behave exceptionally well”.

They were noted as having good numeracy and physical skills, and literacy and digital skills were found to be developing well, with children making “excellent progress through the wide range of opportunities”.

Little Lambs Emmanuel’s staff was described as having “established a highly engaging, language rich environment”, meanwhile, with an “excellent strategic leadership” in place.

Elsewhere, the “Forest School” area was found to provide further outdoor space where children can explore a more natural environment, and which they access regularly. 

Rhyl Journal: Children at Little Lambs EmmanuelChildren at Little Lambs Emmanuel (Image: Samantha Maitland-Price)

Samanatha Maitland-Price, registered person for Little Lambs Emmanuel, hailed the “amazing results” documented in the Estyn report.

This is the first Estyn inspection at Little Lambs Emmanuel since she took it over in January 2021, with the playgroup and after-school club offering 21 and 61 places respectively.

She said: “I am absolutely over the moon with this first inspection for our team.

“It's been such a team effort to transform the previous setting into such a wonderful, authentic Little Lambs setting.

Rhyl Journal: Inside Little Lambs EmmanuelInside Little Lambs Emmanuel (Image: Samantha Maitland-Price)

“This is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our wonderful staff team and the supportive community here at Little Lambs.

“We are incredibly proud of this achievement, and grateful for the opportunity to provide exceptional care and education to our little ones.”

Little Lambs Emmanuel’s full report can be found on Estyn’s website.