An ‘outstanding’ primary school is hoping to expand its age range.

The borough council has announced proposals to expand the age range of Woodfall Primary on Woodfall Lane, Little Neston. The school was described by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’ following an inspection.

The move follows a request from the governors to allow them to permanently increase the age range to admit two and three-year-olds.

If agreed the school hopes to make the change from January 2017 when they plan to offer 26 places for three and four-year-olds and 16 places for two-year-olds each session.

The school carried out an informal consultation with parents during the summer term which is said to have showed ‘strong support’ for the proposal.

It is anticipated the new places will ensure that all parents are able to locally access their entitlement to early years education for their youngsters when the current entitlement of 15 hours of free provision a week for three and four-year-olds is extended to 30 hours a week.

The school says it also wants to be in a position to offer early education to two-year-olds as part of the Government’s initiative to promote early years learning and development.

Ellesmere Port Sutton ward councillor Nicole Meardon (Lab), cabinet member for children and families, said: “Ensuring all of our children and young people are supported to get the best start in life is one of our top priorities.

“This includes increasing primary school provision to ensure we have the right number of school places in the right locations to meet the needs of a growing population, whilst at the same time, supporting parental choice.”

The school believes that providing early years education under its own arrangements will help ensure that children are ready for school when they reach compulsory school age and will assist the move to full time school.

Full details of the consultation are available on the borough council’s web site at www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/woodfallprimaryconsultation .