YOUNGSTERS are in safe hands at Headstart pre-school after all its staff members passed their latest exams with flying colours.

All six assistants at the pre-school, based at St Thomas Moore Church, in Willingale Road, Loughton, are now at least NVQ level 3 qualified, and threw a party to mark their achievement.

Pre-school assistant Adele Ranbazzo said: “I speak on behalf of all the staff when I say we are really pleased we have passed.

“It took us about two years and we had our ups and downs, but we all helped each other out and got through it.

“I thought I had knowledge before but doing this course has opened my eyes so much. We can look after the children so much better and they will all benefit.”

Director of Access Anthea Franklin helped supervise the assistants through their course.

She said: “The Government line is for staff to qualify to level 3 from 2015 and they now have six members qualified in 2009, and their manager Dawn is qualified to level 4.

“They have done it in a remarkable space of time. It’s a real achievement. If you’re working with early years, the formative years, you realise how important it is that people are well qualified. They are working with our future generations.”