AN OUT-of-school activity club has been praised as "very caring" by childcare and education watchdogs.

Play Is For All, at Barlow Park in Astley Bridge, provides out-of-school activities for children with special education needs and disabilities.

The centre, run by Bolton Council, has now been rated as "Good" in all areas in a recently published report, following an Ofsted inspection in May.

Staff were heavily praised in the report, being noted as highly qualified — with inspectors adding that "Staff are very caring and form very positive relationships with children.

"They provide them with a wide range of interesting activities that are planned around children's individual needs and interests."

They were also praised for recognising children with extra support needs and having a good understanding of what the children at the club "like and can do".

Play Is For All's leadership and management were also recognised for ensuring staff are well recruited and trained including in the administration of some medicines.

The report said this has "reduced the stress levels for children and improved the smooth running of the club".

Speaking about the report, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Education, Schools, Safeguarding and Looked After Children, Councillor Ann Cunliffe, said: “This is a great achievement and I am so pleased for the staff who work so incredibly hard.

“I am delighted that the quality of provision we offer has been recognised and praised. It is a real recognition and testament to the staff who strive to ensure the best possible outcomes for children.

“We acknowledge that there is still room for improvement and we already have plans in place to address this and we will continue to strive to be even better.

“This rating is more good news following our fantastic Ofsted rating for our children’s social services. We also recently achieved a ‘good’ rating for Heywood Young People centre.

“We’re thrilled to bits as all these ratings prove that all our outstanding care and hard work is recognised.”