AN OVERTON nursery criticised because children’s wellbeing was “at risk” has now been told it is improving.

As reported in The Gazette, Overton Children’s House was visited by Ofsted and found to be “inadequate” in all areas.

A report, published in March, said: “Staff use inappropriate methods to manage children’s behaviour.”

Inspectors also found that recruitment procedures were not robust enough to help keep children safe, and the provider failed to inform the education watchdog that a child had left the nursery unsupervised.

A monitoring visit was carried out on March 24 and an inspector found that the provider, Marianne Preece, had sought “targeted training and support from Hampshire early years team, both for herself and her staff ”.

However, they also found that hand-washing procedures had not been revised “in order to promote children’s good health and prevent the spread of infection. As a result, children’s wellbeing was at risk”.

A second visit has since been conducted on May 13, with the results published on May 29, stating: “The inspector is of the opinion that the setting has taken prompt and effective action to address the points for improvement.”

The inspector found children at the nursery, based at St Luke’s Hall in Winchester Street, were using a portable wash stand in the play room as part of their daily routine, and also noted the “robust recruitment procedures” in place to “ensure the suitability of all adults working with the children”.

The report added: “A member of the senior management team was now permanently based at the setting, to provide mentoring for staff and promote a consistency in the quality of teaching.”

The next step will be a full inspection.

The nursery, which has 27 children on roll, is one of two privately-owned Montessori settings.

The other, Steventon Children’s House, at Steventon Parish Hall, has been graded “good”.

A report, published on May 23, said: “Staff provide children with a good range of activities that motivate them to learn.”

Mrs Preece said: “We are happy with Steventon’s recent report as it reflects the standards of care found at both our settings, where we have exactly the same staff and policies.”