A NURSERY that Ofsted said "put children at risk of harm" has completely turned things around after being awarded a new rating.

Stepping Stones Day Nursery, based in the Civic Centre on Queen Elizabeth Drive, received a good rating from Ofsted after previously scoring inadequate. 

The nursery - under Monarchs Childcare - has undergone a complete transformation in management, and staff have been retrained.

Initially, the nursery was given a damning report from Ofsted after an inspection in April, but a new inspection that took place in September gave it an overall effectiveness of good. 

Simone Peters, director of Monarchs Childcare, said: "We are delighted with the outcome of our Ofsted inspection, we have worked hard to significantly improve the setting, ensuring the new manager and staff are highly qualified and well trained in our systems and educational programme.

"Our children have a wonderful, nurturing environment in which they are able to thrive, learn and meet their learning goals."

Ofsted said the nursery has significantly improved since the last inspection and the relationships between staff and children are warm and nurturing.

The April Ofsted report said children were not always supervised and "safeguarding arrangements were not effective".

It added that staff did not identify and minimise potential hazards to help ensure children's safety - putting them at risk of harm.

However, in the most recent inspection, Ofsted said: "Safeguarding culture across the team is strong. Staff know the possible signs that a child may be at risk of harm.

"They understand their responsibility to promptly report any concerns they have about a child in their care or if there is an allegation against a member of staff.

"Staff are vigilant in their assessment of the environment to ensure this remains safe for children."

Stepping Stones Day Nursery was first established in 2022 and employed seven childcare staff who provide early years education to those aged between two and four. 

The nursery has been given two areas of improvement: providing children with consistent and clear explanations of behaviour and supporting less-confident staff to enhance their teaching techniques.