Staff, children and parents are dancing for joy ater Happy Feet Pre-School in Leedstown reopened after a six month closure.

Happy Feet had been operating in Leedstown for over five years., however in the spring of 2014 the loss of premises and an inadequate OFSTED inspection resulted in a decision by Happy Feet’s committee to voluntarily suspend services in May 2014 with immediate effect.

This was to allow time for a full review of the charities business, however with a lack of alternative premises in the village and limited funds, the future looked "very bleak".

However, with the full support of local people and Leedstown Primary school, and parents stepping up to join the committee and turn things around, the committee and staff approached Cornwall Council’s Early Years Improvement team, run by Carol Kimberly for help.

With the backing of local councillor, Loveday Jenkins and local MP, Andrew George, the staff and committee spent the summer and autumn of 2014 organising new premises, applying successfully for grants and establishing an action plan to address OFSTED’s concerns. This included a full review of policies and procedures, as well as updated training for staff and committee alike on the latest guidelines for best practice in Early Years education.

The committee and Head teacher of Leedstown Primary School, Mrs. Nicola Neale, worked with the local Planning Department and the Department for Education to secure permission to use an area of the school field for new premises and managed to secure the donation of a suitable portable building from the nearby St Keverne School on the Lizard, who needed to clear it to make way for their own building work.

Local building firm R G Kellow offered generous support to transport and completely refurbish the building in November, donating some of the materials. Numerous local businesses including County Carpets and Gwinear Farmers provided materials, equipment and labour. Along with family and local residents, the staff and the committee worked extremely hard through the Christmas break to ensure that everything was in place to allow the first children to return to Happy Feet’s purpose built, bright and airy new premises on Tuesday 6th January.

OFSTED’s latest inspection, carried out on January 19, 2015 was recently published, with Happy Feet Pre-School awarded a “good” rating, the highest grade that could have been awarded following the previous inspection.

Carol Kimberly, early years senior improvement officer at Cornwall Council said: “The Early Years Improvement Team are delighted at the new start for Happy Feet at Leedstown School. The pre-school has worked incredibly hard in the last year, with wonderful support from their local school and the parents in the community, in order to establish a new pre-school building and facilities.

"This is a testament to the enthusiasm and perseverance of all concerned who have all worked to improve the quality of provision for young children in the area. We wish everyone concerned all the best for the future and feel sure that all children will benefit from the new pre-school provision.”

Debbie Lockitt, Happy Feet pre-school manager adds: "Happy Feet has a determined team that includes an active committee who have worked very closely with many outside agencies. As manager, I'm extremely excited that we have taken this giant leap in the provision of early years education. Thank you to all involved in helping us achieve this."

Nicola Neale, head teacher of Leedstown Primary School, who worked in close partnership with Happy Feet and contributed financially to make the new premises possible, said: "As a small community school, we have always worked very hard to maintain strong links with our pre-school. As a result of this, our children have very strong transition processes. It is wonderful that pre-school are able operate so close to the school. We are thrilled with the recent Ofsted inspection result and look forward to continuing to enhance this."

Louise Wilson, chair of the voluntary committee that runs Happy Feet said: “The road to re-opening Happy Feet has been very tough going at times but the determination save this essential local service for future generations kept us going.

"We never imagined that we would be able to pull together such fantastic premises, and it’s wonderful to see the children thriving in their new environment. The hard work and perseverance of the staff, committee and all those who have helped has been truly inspirational and a great example of what a determined community working together can achieve, against the odds.”