A HAMPSHIRE pre-school is celebrating an outstanding Ofsted inspection as it prepares to welcome a new management team.

The Poppies Pre-school in Chandler’s Ford has been rated outstanding by Ofsted for the second time in a row, the highest rating possible, as it prepares to change its name to Willows Preschool over the summer.

After 10 years as school managers, Emma Kean, 48, and Rebecca Bundock, 44, both from Chandler’s Ford, will pass the baton to current staff member Kim Sallis, who will officially take over in September.

But before saying goodbye to their pupils, Emma and Rebecca celebrated the result of the Ofsted report.

The staff have been applauded by the watchdog for having an “excellent” understanding of how children learn and for providing students with a “very rich and stimulating environment”.

The Ofsted report also concluded that parents are involved significantly with the care and progress their children make, that all children make “exceptional” progress from their individual starting points and they are well prepared for their next stage in learning.

Former school manager Rebecca said: “We are so proud of what our staff team has achieved.

“Working in early years is a job that requires great skills, dedication, enthusiasm and patience.

“We have always strived to provide children in the local community with the highest quality of early years education.

“We are proud to have given the children the best possible start to their education.”

Now, Kim Sallis, 35, from Eastleigh is hoping to do equally well when she will take over in September.

She said: “I used to work for Poppies myself and I will be aiming for an outstanding again.

“I am excited to start this experience.”

But children and parents will see some familiar faces when they return after the summer break.

Kim added: “The rest of the staff team are staying and we will work hard to give children the best we can.”

The pre-school will re-open after the summer break under the new management team on September 5.