Plans have been lodged to extend Upottery Pre-School after it was revealed adults attending important meetings there sit on chairs designed for children as young as two.

The pre-school, which dates back to 1880, has been the subject of discussions by its committee and staff, who have now agreed work needs to take place.

An application submitted to East Devon District Council (EDDC) reads: “First, the office space within the building is no longer fit for purpose - it is too small to serve the administrative needs of the day-to-day running of the pre-school.

“There is no other space that could be utilised for this purpose within the current building footprint without it affecting negatively the space available to run the pre-school for the children.

“Secondly, they have to hold meetings, which can involve multiple agencies within the main pre-school area.

“Unfortunately, this means meetings cannot be held during normal pre-school hours and are seated at tables and chairs which are designed to two to five-year-olds.”

Under proposals put forward by the school, an extension would be built, housing an office or meeting space. This would allow the school’s current office to be converted into a sensory room.

The application added: “This would further enable the pre-school to offer a facility, not only for children with special education needs, but for all children attending Upottery Pre-school.

The application has received backing from Chris Legg, headmaster of Upottery Primary School, who said: “Given the ever-increasing diversity and need of young people today, I can only see that the addition of a sensory room will be of great benefit to the pre-school children who have high needs, which will be met by this type of resource.

“In addition, given today’s educational system, having a meeting space fit for purpose for multi-agency work in of utmost importance, so that meetings may be conducted in a professional and confidential space.”

The school said the existing pedestrian access to the pre-school site across the playground will remain, and will be unaffected by the proposed extension.

The application will be decided by planners at EDDC.