STAFF at Chard Neighbourhood Nursery and School’s Out at Clare House in Chard say they are ‘overjoyed’ with a recent OFSTED report, which graded the childcare centre ‘good’ across all areas.

An inspection in 2011 graded the centre ‘inadequate’ but the nursery has since made huge progress.

Centre manager Jayne Windsor said the improvements were a result of the staff’s hard work and commitment.

She said: “We are overjoyed with the recent report and the improvements we have made.

“The whole team has worked really hard to get to where we are and we are thankful to everyone involved at the centre.”

The report said ‘staff have a secure understanding of how children learn and provide good support to promote their learning’.

The centre’s ‘safe and secure environment’ also came in for praise, as did the ‘warm and inviting environment,’ created by the staff.

“There are good opportunities for children to learn and play together as they develop the skills required for their future learning,” the report said.

The nursery currently supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language.

Both the nursery manager and deputy manager have an Early Years Foundation degree.

Ten staff are employed to work directly with the children and all have early years qualifications at level 2 or above.

Chard Neighbourhood Nursery operates from a purpose-built building and the combined childcare provision includes a Schools Out club for school-age children.

It is open 7.30am-6pm, Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year.