AN "inspiring" pre-school where children "flourish" is celebrating after being lauded in a top report from watchdogs.

Maldon Community Pre-school was rated outstanding across the board following its latest inspection from Ofsted.

It is the first outstanding rating the school has received.

The report reads: "The manager is dedicated and committed to ensuring that children are the centre of all decisions made, and to provide children with an inspiring, ambitious and exciting place to learn.

"The quality of teaching is outstanding. The curriculum is meticulously designed around the children's interests and effectively builds on what they already know to extend and challenge their learning to the highest level."

It also said the manager is "extremely passionate" and her enthusiasm is "infectious".

Meanwhile, the staff were dubbed "knowledgeable, attentive, and nurturing", with the special educational needs coordinator "very knowledgeable and passionate about her role".

Inspectors noted parents speak "highly" of the pre-school and "feel totally reassured that their children are in safe hands".

The report continued: "All children flourish and make exceptional progress from their starting points.

"Children eagerly arrive and immerse themselves in activities of their choice and leave their parents with ease."

The pre-school was further praised for its time given to children outdoors.

"Children relish their time in the garden," the report said.

"They know to take care of plants they grow. Even very young children confidently explain to visitors to the setting the importance of watering their pumpkin patch."

Additional praise was given to the school "promoting children's love for books", for children's "exemplary" behaviour and for the fact children feel "safe and secure".

A spokesman for the pre-school said: "We are incredibly proud and absolutely over the moon to be recognised by Ofsted as an outstanding preschool. 

"The result of our inspection is fantastic and it inspires us to continue providing an outstanding setting for our families.

"Our success is dependent on the commitment and dedication of the preschool team, who work together tirelessly to support the learning, development and happiness of our children.

"Management, staff and the committee have worked hard to develop a shared vision that children can enjoy.

"We endeavour to provide a warm, safe, loving place. We are an incredibly close team and this has been such a lovely way to recognise what we do."