A nursery has successfully weathered the coronavirus crisis to receive a glowing report from inspectors.

Little Pickles on Smallhythe Road outside Tenterden was visited by Ofsted in June and now a report has rated it 'outstanding' in all areas.

The nursery was opened by owners Katie and Andy Holmes in September 2018 and it offers early-years education to children aged from three months to five years.

"Children are incredibly confident, independent and happy," the report says. "They are enthralled by extremely interesting and challenging learning experiences.

"For example, children create their own wooden structures using real tools, such as a drill. Children are enthusiastic about their models and beam with pride as they show their friends, excitedly telling them 'look at my robot I built'."

Inspectors praised staff for establishing "inspirational and trusting relationships with children" and keeping parents "fully involved in their children's learning".

The nursery - which employs 19 members of staff - is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm and receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

"When I decided I wanted to open my very own nursery the vision was to provide a 'home-from-home environment' where all children could 'take root, blossom and bear fruit'," Katie, a former High Halden Primary School teacher, said.

"The pandemic proved to be a challenge as we hadn't been established for long. However, despite this, we managed to remain open throughout the lockdown and were able to offer our key workers full working days.

"We were so proud to be able to stay open. It meant that our staff could keep working as long as they were healthy and it was also a lifeline for parents and children, especially those parents who had other older children at home who needed to be home schooled."

Inspectors also noted how staff at the nursery offer online training videos for parents each week.

The report said: "For example, they were recently invited to learn about how to manage separation anxiety. This is incredibly beneficial in supporting children who have had recent time away from the nursery due to Covid-19."

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