A NURSERY closed by inspectors earlier this year is making “satisfactory” improvement after a second monitoring visit.

But Ofsted staff have said more work needs to be done at the Co-Operative Childcare Blackbird Leys Nursery to make sure concerns about “managerial practice” do not occur again.

The nursery was closed in July after Ofsted suspended its licence after an unannounced inspection. The report, published after the suspension was lifted and the nursery re-opened, revealed serious failings by staff said to be putting children’s safety at risk.

The damning report judged the facility inadequate and said Ofsted inspectors had seen older children at the nursery in Cuddesdon Way hitting and throwing toys at each other and putting their hands around each other’s necks.

A monitoring inspection was carried out on July 22, with no children present, and found satisfactory improvements were being made.

The most recent inspection took place on September 10 to see if actions taken to lift the suspension had been kept up.

Susan Gregory, national director of inspection, said: “The good progress made on initial priority action was found to have been sustained.

“The acting manager and deputy have developed strong relationships with parents and staff.”

The report said the action plan to identify how staff training could be tested was having a “satisfactory effect”.

But it added: “There remains work to be done in improving staff practice.”

Sally Mayer, division manager for Co-operative Childcare, said: “We are committed to high quality care and the team has worked hard at Blackbird Leys to improve standards. “We are very pleased this has been recognised.

“It is vital that all of our nurseries provide the best possible care for children in an engaging environment.”

There will be a further monitoring visit to the site.

Factfile

  • Cares for children up to the age of five
  • There are more than 100 children on its register
  • The Co-operative Childcare Blackbird Leys Nursery is one of 50 provisions run by The Midcounties Co-operative
  • It opened in 2009 having relocated to new premises
  • There are six Co-operative Childcare nurseries in Oxfordshire