A nursery group has disputed Ofsted reports which described two of its institutions in Oxfordshire as ‘inadequate’.

Duchess Nursery said the ratings from the non-ministerial department were not a “true representation” of its sites in Steventon and Wallingford.

The reports identified “weak” teaching at both nurseries and said children’s safety was compromised.

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Inspectors reported babies lying in vomit and crawling on mopped floors that were still wet at the nursery in St Georges Road, Wallingford

The report, which followed an inspection on January 26, also noted that children were not supervised at some mealtimes which posed a risk of choking

At the nursery in Steventon, which was inspected on February 2, it was reported that new babies were “passed around staff.”

Inspectors said not enough room was made at the table for all children to take part in painting activities, which led to some becoming “frustrated.”

Children were also noted as “confused” when they passed books to members of staff who put them down with no explanation.

For both nurseries, the management and standard of teaching was also criticised.

Inspectors said the manager of the nursery in Steventon did not identify gaps in the knowledge of staff and added that the quality of teaching was “inconsistent.”

Managers and leaders in Wallingford were said to not “fully understand their roles and responsibility”, and some staff failed to offer “effective words or comments” to children.

It was also noted that there was not enough “experienced staff” at the Wallingford nursery with some children cared for by cover staff who “do not know them or their needs.”

However, at both nurseries, inspectors complimented the behaviour of children - who were described as independent and well-behaved – and the “positive parent partnerships.”

They said that parents were “happy” with the Steventon nursery, and that staff at the Wallingford nursery had supported children and parents to get ready for a new baby.

A spokeswoman from the nurseries said: “We are disappointed with these reports which we do not believe are a true representation of either nursery.

“To give some context to the reports, Ofsted has downgraded over 80 per cent of previously outstanding schools that it has inspected since January 2021 and is following the same approach for nurseries.

“Ofsted does have a complaints procedure in place, but admitted at a recent Confederation of School Trusts meeting that this complaints policy is ‘not working’.

“Ofsted will be returning to both nurseries shortly to reinspect the provision and we welcome this.

“We have been delighted and humbled by the overwhelming support of our parental body towards our hardworking and diligent nursery teams.”