A new manager has taken over a nursery previously described as "chaotic" by inspectors.

Rebecca Handley, who has ten years experience looking after children, has been brought in to raise standards at Rainbow Kids Nursery, in Malmesbury Road, South Woodford. 

In the last two years the nursery, which cares for children aged three months to eight, has seen its Ofsted rating slip from 'good' in 2012 to 'inadequate' in July, when the learning environment was heavily criticised.

An inspection in November found the nursery must make further improvements.

Mrs Handley has taken over from Susan Fisher, who is leaving by the end of December.  

Mrs Handley worked for four years at Mallards Woods Daycare Centre, in St Barnabas Road, Woodford Green, which is rated good by Ofsted.

She said: "The team at Rainbow Kids Nursery have been working continuously to improve the standards within the nursery to achieve the current improved rating in the Ofsted report. 

"The staffs are constantly improving the quality of the care and education provided to the children.

"I am here to increase occupancy, to make sure the nursery receives a good Ofsted rating and to improve the overall quality of care.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the parents in the nursery for their support during this difficult period and we all looking forward to meeting new parents and children in the New Year."

After July's damning findings, the number of registered children at the 45-capacity nursery dwindled from 36 to 18.

Since then, inspector Claire Stockings found staff are now better qualified and have been trained on children’s safety and welfare, but less-experienced staff were criticised for not allowing children the time to think of replies to questions and told to improve outdoor learning opportunities.