A PIONEERING early years organisation in West Devon is celebrating a county award for its excellent work.

North Tawton Partnership Foundation Stage Unit has become the first unit of its type in West Devon to receive a prestigious quality badge.

The North Tawton PFSU is a union of North Tawton Pre-School, the primary school's reception class and associated staff and governing bodies.

The PFSU was awarded with their badge of quality by Cllr James McInnes of Devon County Council last Friday.

To mark the occasion, the PFSU hosted a drinks reception for staff, parents and community representatives, and children from both the primary school and pre-school enjoyed entertainment from Professor Fumble.

Nick D'Agorne, North Tawton Primary School headteacher, said: 'We are thrilled to receive this award as recognition of the hard work and dedication of the Foundation Unit Team and the work and support of the pre-school committee, school governing body and families of North Tawton.'

During the summer of 2011, North Tawton's partnership was formed when the pre-school and reception class staff teams, alongside supportive committee and governors, shared the same aim to serve the community in the best possible way by working together to achieve better outcomes for the children of North Tawton and its surrounding area, through their learning experience in their setting.

Kirsty Tooke, North Tawton Pre-School chair, said: 'North Tawton's vision is to enable the children to learn and be secure in their learning, equipping them well for a life long journey of discovery.'

Helen Martin, reception class teacher, said: 'We want every child to become an independent learner who takes pleasure in the pursuit of knowledge, and to offer a school life that incorporates family and community values and beliefs.

'We achieve this by working and planning together, enhancing the development and education of our children in a warm, caring, safe, secure, fun and stimulating environment.

'We work within a framework, which ensures equality of opportunity for all children and families.'

Bridget Kamel, pre-school manager, expressed her thanks to everyone involved in creating the PFSU for all their hard work.