An after-school club that gives children the freedom to express themselves and learn through play has been named as outstanding by Ofsted.

Cool Kidz, which is based at Woodlands Infant School in Alban Crescent in Borehamwood, offers activities to 45 children from local primary schools including St Teresa's and Cowley Hill.

Run by Karren Skipsey and Jane Bream, the club provides a place for children from reception to 11 years old to learn and play until their parents can collect them.

In the report, Ofsted inspectors who visited in January said children had excellent opportunities to express themselves. 

The children attending the club were found to be very chatty and showed high levels of confidence, while staff valued their ideas and views.

Parents told inspectors they really appreciated the time and attention their children received.

Ms Skipsey said the staff were “over the moon” with the new report.

She added: “We had no notification the inspectors were coming and they must have been very impressed by what they saw here.

“Our activities allow children to show initiative and play imaginatively, they decide what they want to do out of the range of activities we have on offer for them.

“Despite a full day at school they are full of energy, they mix very well with children from other schools.

“It is wonderful to see them playing together in such a lovely way, and I feel we make a real difference here.”

As well as running after school clubs, Cool Kidz holds sessions during school holidays.

Emma Morrison, nine, who attends Woodlands Primary School, loves coming to the club.

She said: “There is a lot to do here, lots of activities. It’s great playing games with your friends.”

Mother Heidi Connor said her daughter Tyra Simon very much enjoyed attending the club.

She said: “She would like to stay longer, she never wants to leave when I come and collect her. It’s a really good club and I like the fact the children are given the chance to play safely outside.”