A PRESCHOOL on Portland is celebrating after receiving a glowing review in its first Ofsted inspection.

Doodlebugs Preschool opened in 2017 and was visited by the education watchdog for the first time in January of this year.

Sandra Smyth and Clare Bowden, joint managers and owners of the preschool, which is next to Atlantic Academy at Southwell, said they were delighted when they received a 'Good' report from Ofsted.

In a statement, they said: "We are extremely proud of our first Ofsted grading, good with outstanding in behaviour and attitudes.

"We would like to thank all our children and parents who have supported our preschool and our staff for their hard work and dedication which has enabled us to receive this fantastic grade.

"Outstanding in behaviour and attitudes is a testament of our high expectations from all our children.

"We are the first preschool on the island to be inspected by the new Ofsted framework. We are delighted."

The report was glowing. Inspectors wrote: "Children are happy on arrival and settle quickly to play. They excitedly greet their friends and staff and develop positive, secure relationships.

"Children's behaviour is excellent. They recognise the importance of being kind and helpful to others. Staff ask children, 'How could we help our friends?' and they say, 'We can teach them to share.'

"Children benefit from a well-organised play environment where they explore the wide range of exciting toys and activities and learn through their developing curiosity and investigation. They develop good fine motor skills and concentrate well at threading dried pasta shapes onto straws.

"Older children squeeze and squash play dough to create their models. They use straws as candles and say, 'I've made a birthday cake.' Younger children learn about space, size and shape through their play. For example, they concentrate well, stacking soft bricks one on top of another to make a tall tower.

"Older children recognise numbers of personal significance and proudly say, 'I'm four.' Children confidently make independent choices of toys to fully support their ideas and interests in play.

"Staff have clear expectations and help children to make very positive progress. Children develop the necessary skills to prepare them for their future learning."