A playgroup rated "outstanding" by Ofsted that was set to close has been handed a lifeline.

Wiggles Playgroup in Sheerness last week announced it would close permanently in December after it had failed to find new premises.

The nursery, which has 16 staff and 56 children on its books, with another 30 due to start next year, had been told by its landlord East Kent Mencap in February last year that its licence would not be renewed after September 2025.

However, the disability charity has now decided to extend the licence for a further year until September 2026.

Boss Vicki McManus, who started the playgroup at The Delacey Hall, off Beach Street, in 2015, has called this a “band-aid” for the nursery.

The 48-year-old previously told KentOnline that she had “exhausted every avenue” in her search for a new home.

This included working with Sheppey-based Range Rovers Football Club on proposals to build a new facility at Seager Road Sports Ground in Sheerness.

However, she had to pull out of those plans as she lacked the finances to build a new facility at the ground due to dwindling numbers of children.

She alerted parents via social media last night of the news.

She said: “I have spoken to the staff and even though this could be delaying the inevitable and some of them have applied for jobs they have all agreed they want to stay for you and their children.

“I will now look to explore some new opportunities that have been given to me since Monday.

“This has obviously been a roller coaster of emotions and turmoil for everyone and I am so sorry this has happened.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for saving wiggles, even if it is for only a year.”

The closure would have left just one “outstanding” nursery on Sheppey – Queenborough Nursery in Edward Road.

There was widespread dismay at news of the closure with parents being told on Monday before a social media post alerted the wider community later that day.

It resulted in a “Save Wiggles Playgroup” campaign, with more than 700 people joining its Facebook page.

Among them is mum-of-two Izabelle Holder, who told KentOnline her two-year-old son, who joined the playgroup in September, has been left without a nursery until the next academic year.

The 22-year-old, who lives in Queenborough, says she called all nine early years groups on Sheppey but none of them are taking on new children.

She said: “My son has come so far since joining. He has had huge improvements in his speech and his development and loves going there.

“He’s making friends and socialising. Where will all these children go when Wiggles closes because there is physically no childcare or nurseries available?”

Meanwhile, a parent whose son and daughter attended the playgroup commented on social media: "Oh no. We are so sorry to hear this.

"A big thank you Wiggles for the exceptional care and fun learning experiences you gave to both my kids over the years, absolutely gutted for you all."

Wiggles was rated "outstanding" in December 2017 and November last year.

Around a third of the pupils had Special Educational Needs (SEN).

KentOnline has approached East Kent Mencap for comment.