A DARWEN nursery school has been praised by Ofsted for its polite and pleasant children.

Three and four-year-olds at Turncroft nursery school, in Highcroft Road, impressed inspectors with their "outstanding" behaviour and "exceptional consideration for each other" at such an early age.

The inspectors also praised the school's good standard of education, saying it had not only created a "stimulating learning environment with a rich, broad" curriculum, but had also expanded in new and exciting directions.

The school has developed extra services, including breakfast and lunch clubs, courses for parents and childcare sessions, which inspectors said had been very well received by parents.

Turncroft also has strong links with its local community, other schools and specialist agencies and, according to inspectors, is well managed with outstanding leadership from headteacher Pat Rudd.

Mrs Rudd said: "Our main driving forces have always been personal development, well-being and achievement.

"I am delighted the inspectors praised our work so highly. It's a tribute to our staff, the children and their parents for all their hard work and support."

Chairman of governors David Bent said: "The nursery's progress over the last year in expanding its services has been reflected in this excellent report.

"The governors are delighted and it reflects well on the head teacher, the school's staff, our children and their parents."

Turncroft celebrated its 50th anniversary in September 2004.