A top rating has been awarded to an Iwade nursery.

Ickle Pickles, in School Lane, was found to be outstanding following a visit from Ofsted.

Within the report, the leadership and management team is described as “inspirational” with all staff highly motivated and committed to improving the setting.

As a result the children are said to make “exceptional progress”.

Other highlights include, an excellent balance of child initiated learning and adult-led activities; parents are extremely involved in their children’s learning and receive excellent information about their learning and achievements on a regular basis.

A nursery guinea pig helps youngsters learn about caring for animals; it is an extremely caring and nurturing environment; a menu that encompasses different cultural celebrations throughout the year to help pupils learn about diversity, different beliefs and cultures; and the use of sign language when communicating with those who have limited English.

The report adds: “Large climbing apparatus enables children to explore risk and challenge in a controlled environment.

“Behaviour is exemplary throughout the nursery due to excellent role modelling of staff.

“Children grow plants in the outdoor environment helping them to learn about life cycles.”

Owner Hannah Williams said: “After their unannounced inspection we were thrilled when the two Ofsted inspectors provided their feedback.

“Myself and the manager, Michelle Jarman, along with the staff team, have worked very hard to provide exceptional care for the children that attend here, and feel that this has now been recognised by Ofsted.

“We recently employed a fully qualified teacher who is leading our pre-school room and, as the owner, I am also vice-chairman of a collaboration set up in 2014, with other nurseries to improve practice among the members.

“Ickle Pickles will now work hard to maintain such a hard-earned accolade.”

To improve the quality of the early years provision at the facility, the report advised the nursery should “extend the use of natural resources to encourage children to learn through exploration and discovery as they play”.

The nursery has 53 places and a total of 91 children on its roll. The age range is 0-8.

To see the report in full visit http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk