Derbyshire pre-school where children ‘beam with joy’ praised by Ofsted – as two school sites impress inspectors
Both Matlock Pre-School sites have shined during their most recent Ofsted inspections.
Two Matlock Pre-School sites, located at Woolley Road and Smedley Street, have celebrated new Ofsted reports – after passing their inspections with flying colours.
Both sites were inspected in November 2025 and were among the first schools in the country inspected under a new Ofsted framework.
According to the newly introduced rules, overall inspection grades are no longer given and inspectors instead award the schools with ratings across main inspection areas including: Attendance and behaviour, Achievement, Curriculum and teaching, Inclusion, Leadership and governance, as well as Personal development and well-being.
The updated ratings include: Exceptional (the new highest grade), Strong standard, Expected standard, Needs attention and Urgent improvement (the new lowest grade).
Inspectors found that the Woolley Road Matlock Pre-School site has achieved a ‘strong standard’ across all areas inspected.
The report reads: “Children beam with joy and show excitement as they enter the setting.
"Staff know children extremely well and this enables them to adapt their teaching skills and provide experiences that help every child to flourish, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.”
Inspectors have further praised a ‘stimulating and well-planned curriculum’ which motivates children to learn through ‘purposeful and ambitious’ learning experiences.
Additionally, the report has highlighted that children behaved well and were ‘kind, helpful and respectful’ to both their peers and the staff.
Parents spoke positively about the school, sharing that they felt reassured by regular progress updates, which ensured that families were fully involved.
Inspectors also praised Matlock Pre-School’s Smedley Street site – which saw curriculum and teaching meet ‘expected standard’ while all other categories inspected achieved ‘strong standard’.
The report reads: “Leaders prioritise children's welfare and wellbeing, placing it at the heart of the setting's ethos and daily practice.
"Children thrive within the secure attachments of their key person.”
"They behave exceptionally well and take pride in doing things for themselves and develop their sense of responsibility well.”
Inspectors have further praised the staff for going ‘above and beyond’ to ensure that children receive a continuous curriculum.
Leaders and staff have a ‘deep understanding’ of any special educational needs and/or disabilities or any other barriers to learning that children may have and provide individual support to ensure each child is thriving.
‘Embedded and well-structured routines’ help children to develop healthy habits and emotional wellbeing – with pupils showing ‘increasing levels’ of independence.
Parents have ‘high praise’ for the setting and the staff who regularly share information about the progress their children make, particularly with their social interactions and communication development.
Commenting on both inspections, Kirsty Tonks, Pre-School Manager, said: "Since taking over as manager of Matlock Pre-School, in October 2022, the staff team and myself have made many positive changes to our environment, ethos, culture and curriculum, supported by our committee, parents/families and the children who attend.
“Those improvements have shone through in both of our OFSTED reports and it shows the dedication, and love that our staff team and committee has for our wonderful settings. I am incredibly proud of everyone involved and we strive to continue the good work that we are doing."