at a Waterside pre-school are thrilled after receiving top marks all round in an Ofsted inspection.

The report said Jack and Jill's Community Pre-school in Hythe was "very good" in each of the six key areas assessed.

The pre-school, which first opened in 1984, provides day care for more than 50 children aged two to five years old.

Inspector Clare Moore wrote: "Jack and Jill Pre-school provides nursery education which is acceptable and is of high quality.

"Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning."

Staff are celebrating the superb inspection results and are now in the process of achieving official accreditation status.

Chris Wall, supervisor, told the Daily Echo: "We are very pleased. It makes all your efforts worthwhile when you get a report like that.

"We are lucky to have a strong staff team. We are dedicated to the work we do and I think that comes across because we have a good rapport with the children and the parents.

"It all goes towards being a successful group."

The six key areas assessed were personal, social and emotional development; communication, language and literacy; mathematical development; knowledge and understanding of the world; physical development and creative development.

WHAT IS BEING DONE WELL?

Staff's clear understanding of the early learning goals leads to well planned activities which engage and sustain children's interests and efforts.

Staff regularly record children's achievements and each child has a folder which includes their record of achievement.

Children are confident and sociable.

Children experience counting throughout their daily activities and develop good understanding of the use of numbers.

Parents and carers are kept very well informed of their children's progress.

Children enjoy frequent opportunities for exercise and physical challenges.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED?

The organisation of story times.