A South Hams preschool has received top marks from government inspectors who heaped praise on its management, staff and range of activities.

Ermington Pre-School was inspected in May with the customary half a day’s notice from Ofsted - the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills.

So staff were over the moon to receive the highest possible rating - outstanding - from inspectors.

In her report inspector Joanne Steward was complimentary about all aspects of the preschool, particularly the work of manager Sarah Thurley and her staff. The report said she "monitors children’s progress and assessment exceptionally well" and "helps all children make excellent progress in their learning and development".

The report also noted Ms Thurley "provides staff with thought-provoking scenarios to help them challenge any potential incidents of discrimination, helping to keep children safe from set opinions and attitudes".

Furthermore, it said: "Children enjoy an exceptional range of enriching activities that ignites their interests. For example, children learn how to design and build highly impressive jungle habitats using real tools and materials, such as hammers and nails. This helps children learn how to plan, construct and manipulate tools at a high level."

The inspector also praised the support given to children for their move on to primary school, and the way parents were actively involved in children’s learning and preschool events.

The report concludes: "All children flourish in this exceptional preschool."

Following the result of the inspection, Ms Thurley said: "We’re really pleased with the grade, just really proud and happy we received outstanding for the first time in Ermington’s history.

"The staff here have really got on board with the preschool’s ethos. We use ’in the moment planning’, engaging with children at their level so that development is tailored around their interests.

"The inspector said we do things differently, for example working on car parts and using hammers and nails. We engage children to reach their full potential - it’s a case of how far can we challenge them.

"Gone are the days when Early Years was just about sitting around and playing with children."

Ms Thurley also paid tribute to parents. She continued: "Parents have really got on board and helped with improvements and fundraising. Every penny we get from the government just goes to keeping the roof over our heads.

"In the last year we’ve had a new fence, giving us now two great outdoor areas. We’re also lucky we can use the primary school’s facilities."

Although the preschool is on the same site as Ermington Primary School, the two are completely separate. Ermington Pre-School is a charity run by a committee, with eight members of staff and 53 children on the books, although it can take a maximum of 26 on any given day.

Ms Thurley continued: "As a charity we really like parents to get involved, and there’s a real community and family feel here. It’s something we’re really passionate about - happy parents make happy kids."