A Sandwich nursery school’s good Ofsted report was just the reward its new manager was looking for.

School House Nursery in School Road has been rated Good in all areas after an inspection by the regulator in January.

Manager Jackie Wylde, who took over in September, said: “We were close to outstanding but just missed it.

“This just means that we can improve even more. Next time I’m determined to get outstanding.”

Inspectors studied the nursery’s paperwork as well as the effectiveness of leadership and management, quality of teaching, and the children’s personal development, behaviour and welfare.

Ms Wylde said her team; Katy Jenner, Lotfia Azira, James Bowman, Lissa Hairsine, Christina Waddon, James Borley and Emily Adcock, felt confident in the run up to the inspection because they had worked so hard to improve standards since their last inspection in February 2015.

Ms Wylde said: “We have basically started the nursery from scratch again.

“I’ve gone through all the paperwork, changed the rooms around to develop them so they’re more defined areas and put in place enhancing the garden.

“We’re hoping to put in a wooden classroom so we can be out there in any weather.”

Having moved from Thanet, Mrs Wylde said she strives to be more community based.

The children have recently enjoyed a trip to the nearby fire station as well as visit from a policeman.

“It’s things like that we enjoy doing, to make us more aware of the community and to make us more like a family,” she said.

“Our emphasis is learning through play and the children are not under any pressure. By us knowing the children, we can observe where they are and provide support and resources so they can take up their development.

“We all work together. I value each and everyone’s contributions.”

School House Nursery looks after 37 children aged from 20 months to nine years old at before and after school clubs, holiday clubs, sessional and full day care.

It has four activity rooms, along with a kitchen and changing room and a huge garden equipped with artificial turf and a playground which is divided into sections for cycling, art, recycling and more.

Chairwoman of the management committee, Bonnie Ledner, whose three children have attended the nursery, said: “I’ve always liked it here because it is small, it’s like a home rather than a nursery.

“We want to share this news with the community, so everybody knows how good it is here.

“People can come and visit us and see what School House Nursery does.”

The nursery has limited space but will accept children at any time in the year, whether they live in Sandwich or not.

It is open from 8am until 6pm. Pop in anytime, call 01304 615250 or email info@schoolhouse-nursery.org.uk for inquiries.