A NEW after school club in Bromsgrove has received the seal of approval from Ofsted.

The Government watchdog has declared QEST (Quality Extended Schools Team) at Stoke Prior a good place for children to have fun and learn.

Working parents with children at Stoke Prior First School can drop their children off at 7.30am before breakfast and pick them up at 6pm the same day, confident that they will be well looked after, according to the inspectors.

In a report they say: "The health of children is promoted in the setting through staff's procedures and practices, especially integrated to their physical development and nutrition. Very good emphasis is on children's physical play."

The inspectors go on to add: "Children are cared for in well maintained premises with very good facilities and the excellent outdoor area is fully enclosed and maintained to a high standard. Security is paramount."

The inspectors conclude that all the children are keen to attend and reluctant to leave as they have so much fun.

The only room for improvement, they said, would be to provide more opportunities for children to explore issues of diversity through play, and to clearly identify the out of school club room.

Helen Guyler, one of the QEST managers, said: "We are very pleased with our first Ofsted report. The business I started with my partner Denise Phelps has been so successful that we are branching out to Crown Meadow School in Alvechurch."

Qest has also been open in Stoke Prior First School during the summer holidays for sessions throughout the day for children from a wider area.