As a three-year-old Sarah Ginn would play there with her doting grandparents. Forty years on, one of the rooms in which Sarah created so many happy memories as an infant is now her office.

Having bought out her parents ten years ago, Sarah is the sole proprietor of ABC Nursery, based in what was her grandparents home before it was converted into an early years learning facility. And business at the Earlsdon nursery, where Sarah was the very first pupil, has never been better thanks in part to a complimentary recent Ofsted assessment.

The regulator's report, which found that managers and staff 'work closely to provide an exciting and stimulating environment for children', delivered a 'good' rating across the board. It was something of a relief for Sarah after a misinterpretation of safeguarding protocol had previously sunk the nursery's status.

READ MORE: Coventry store manager scoops national recognition in the 2023 Retail Industry Awards

"It was pretty hard to take," Sarah said. "We had to do the whole inspection knowing we would probably get an inadequate score over what was a technicality, and despite what they had seen with their own eyes.

"We went to the local MP and they tried to fight it, but the decision stood." The nursery is back in the good books with Ofsted after a minor administrative adjustment was made. Not that its standing ever suffered among the parents who love sending their children there.

That it's still in business, four decades after Sarah's parents launched it, and has been able to retain many of its key staff for long periods, speaks of a harmonious setting in which youngsters thrive. "I think our staff genuinely care about the nursery," Sarah said.

"It's not just a job for them. They really care about making it the best possible experience. A lot of our business comes from word of mouth and makes you more aware they know they can be the best they can possibly be.

"The caring and nurturing side we know works for the children. We always have an apprentice who can bring in fresh ideas to stay on top of everything. We visit an old people's home in the local area and people come into the nursery to chat about things so we're very community focused."

Mum-of-two Sarah added: "We've got three different areas of the nursery and we make them very specific to the ages of the children. We've got a really big garden area to play in and covered areas so we're always able to go outside whatever the weather.

"We've got three separate garden areas, a big gravel pit and sand pit, a soft play area and climbing frames. It's a big plot, but needs to be with 68 children here.

"We cook all our meals on site so hot dinners are served during the day. Some of the younger ones might have a little sleep during the day then work on plays and things like that.

"We have an art room, a role play room, a sensory room, an understanding the world room and a materials room as well. We'll often look at creatures with the younger kids."

Sarah's mum Maggie Pyner conceived the idea for ABC Nursery as she was taking her baby steps in parenting. Maggie sent Sarah's older brother to a childminder until she realised that looking after infants was her real calling in life.

She gave up her teaching role at a local secondary school and set about starting the nursery. Maggie still visits the nursery, often with a guitar in hand, to entertain the children. Sarah's dad David Margetts also visits, but in more of a handyman capacity at weekends.

"It was her passion and now it's mine," Sarah added. "It means a lot to me as a business. It's not something I just took on. Both of my children came here and went on to local schools so we've kept the tradition alive."

The nursery employs around 30 people. A number of Sarah's most senior staff have been with her almost as long as her parents!

"The manager has been here for coming up to 15 years," Sarah said. "Our chef has just celebrated 20 years with us. At least a third of our staff have been here for ten years plus."

Sarah is considering how best to mark the nursery's 40th anniversary. A reunion, featuring photos through the years, could be held later this year to acknowledge the milestone.

For all the latest Coventry news sign up to our daily newsletter here.