A PLAYGROUP described as ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted inspectors is being taken over by a popular Oxford family centre based in the same building.

Donnington Playgroup, which has 22 children, was given the rating in March, the results of which have just been published.

It had previously been run by a charity called Donnington Playgroup, which is in the process of being wound up, but has now been re-registered under the same name, with Donnington Doorstep Family Centre as registered provider.

From Sunday it will take over the day to day running of the centre in Townsend Square. Centre manager Anna Thorne said: “Doorstep has been planning since January to take over the delivery of the playgroup.

“We have appointed a new staff team, new manager who started two weeks ago, a deputy and assistant. It is quite an exciting time.”

The playgroup had been criticised for failing to keep the regulator informed about management changes, and for assessment systems which did not enable cover staff to plan consistently for children’s individual needs.

Ms Thorne said the judgement reflected the fact the playgroup had been in a period of transition.

She added: “We were in a position where the existing staff team had changed and there was a lack of continuity. It has been unsettled and the team was not permanent, but we have put an action plan in place and we are confident if Ofsted were to come in that we are fully compliant.

“We have made a commitment to parents and the community that we will keep with the same ethos of a cosy, homely play-based setting but very much an early years setting and education provision.”

Currently the playgroup opens five mornings a week, but plans to open for afternoon sessions, probably from October.

Ms Thorne, who was on the playgroup committee, said the changes were triggered by two long-term members of staff leaving and issues around sustainability as committee members had been joining then leaving after relatively short periods of time.

She said being part of a larger organisation should address the issues. It would be the first time the family centre had provided permanent childcare.

Sandra Hardy has been appointed playgroup and early years manager.

She said: “Although we are still the same playgroup it is almost like starting in a new setting.

The centre hopes to revamp inside and outside areas, possibly with an extension to floor space.