A PRE-SCHOOL which came under fire from Ofsted inspectors is looking forward to a brighter future after unveiling its new £400,000 home.

Grovelands Park Pre-School in Grove suffered a damning inspection report when it was based in a Scout hut while its new home next to Millbrook Primary School was built.

It was rated ‘inadequate’ in the Ofsted inspection in January – the worst of four ratings.

The education watchdog said the building in Cane Lane was too cold and not clean enough.

It also rated the pre-school’s leadership and management as weak.

But the school moved into its new home on Tuesday and the committee which runs the school has asked for another inspection.

The site has a bigger playroom, a kitchen, toilets, a quiet room, a storage room and an outdoor play area.

A new manager, Victoria Jackson, was found last month.

Katheryn Houldey, chairman of the volunteer committee, said she was confident another inspection would be much better. She said: “It was a really hard few months for everybody. We are all relieved that we are finally there. It is so fantastic.”

She added: “We are really trying to move the pre-school forward.”

Last year the pre-school, which looks after children aged two to four, was promised a £400,000 Sure Start grant as its old home, a temporary building on the same site, was becoming dilapidated.

But the cash was put in doubt amid Government cuts.

Parents were unsure of its future until October when Oxfordshire County Council announced the funding would be provided.

Mrs Houldey said: “We thought we might not get the new building and that would be the end of the pre-school as the old building was not in a fit state.”

Lee Houghton, 34, has been sending her three-year-old son Louis Beach to the pre-school for a year.

She said: “It is really bright and clean and it looks very professionally run now. It was worth the wait.”

The pre-school moved out of its former home last summer.

Wantage and Grove county councillor Zoe Patrick said: “It is a great facility for Grove, and its investment in early years will give children a good start to their lives.

“Hopefully next time round it will be a much better inspection with the better conditions for the staff and the children.”

The pre-school will be on show next Saturday, and Wantage MP Ed Vaizey will perform the official opening at 11.30am. There will also be activities and stalls.