Pilton Pre-School in Somerset has been recognised as an exceptional place for children to flourish, achieving an "Outstanding" rating in all categories during its latest Ofsted inspection.

Children at the pre-school, located in Methodist Chapel Rooms, Top Street, Pilton, feel safe and happy, engaging in activities with confidence. The inspection report highlighted how children thrive from the "ambitious and meticulously planned curriculum," and are highly motivated, persevering at challenging tasks.

An example of their growth was seen in the woodland activities, where children learned how to use fire strikers, celebrating together when they succeeded at the difficult task.

The behaviour of the children at Pilton Pre-School was noted as "impeccable," and the report praised the mutual respect between staff and children.

Staff's guidance was cited as helping children to regulate their behaviour and encourage kindness. The report gave an illustration of this kindness, mentioning how children building a pretend campfire invited younger children to join their play.

A focus on personal development was also commended, with the report stating that children "take lead of their learning." Through exploring natural materials and creating unique constructions, staff guide children by reinforcing emotional development and self-esteem by praising efforts and encouraging ideas.

Special mention was made regarding the support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), which was described as "exemplary." Highly trained and experienced staff made excellent use of strategies such as sign language and picture cards, which were said to be effective in helping non-verbal children to communicate.

Management and staff's dedication to supporting children and their families was another area of excellence. They were praised for being highly resourceful and for providing support like training for parents. Their efforts were reported as having "an enormous impact on children's progress."

Parents were also found to be extensively involved in their children's learning, and welcomed to join in on weekly forest school sessions. The ingenious ways that managers involved parents, such as inviting them to share hobbies, professions, or pets, contributed to creating a community that provided valuable learning opportunities for children.

Staff well-being was also acknowledged, with the report stating that they felt well-supported and enjoyed working at the pre-school. Staff working "outstandingly well together as a team" was seen as a positive role model for the children.

The arrangements for safeguarding were confirmed to be effective, with management and staff taking their responsibilities extremely seriously.

Regular training ensured that staff could identify and report any safeguarding concerns. The inspection also noted how children were taught to use equipment safely and assess risks, experiences that taught them about measuring and managing risk.

The Ofsted inspection portrayed Pilton Pre-School as a nurturing, inclusive, and forward-thinking environment where children are given the best possible start in their educational journey. It's a setting that builds community bonds, fosters creativity, and equips children with the skills they need for future success.

As one parent reportedly commented, they feel "extremely fortunate for the support their children receive."

A spokesperson for the pre-school said: "The exemplary report is a testament to the hard work and dedication shown by all the staff at Pilton Pre-school.

"We would like to thank everyone who has supported us, in particular our amazing Committee and all the families - past and present - whose children have attended here. We hope to continue to provide Outstanding care to our children for many more years to come."

You can find the full report here.