A NURSERY damned by Ofsted inspectors last October for poor teaching and ineffective leadership has made significant improvements four months on.

In its latest report, published this week, the education watchdog said Raindrops Nursery required improvement across three areas, including how the provision meets children’s needs, its contribution to the children’s well-being and the effectiveness of the leadership and management.

As a result, inspectors said, the site in Cheney Manor did not meet the legal requirements for early years settings.

However, inspectors also found that vast improvements had been made since it was judged as inadequate last October, when it was said to be compromising children’s safety.

Lynn Mayneord, who took on sole ownership of Raindrops Childcare Ltd shortly before the October inspection, said while staff were disappointed the inspectors did not yet judge the provision as good, they were pleased it recognised the work already done.

She said: “Ofsted inspected earlier than we anticipated as we had expected a visit before Easter. The team have been working very hard since the last inspection to bring about the improvements that Ofsted required and recommended.

“The report from the inspector has a lot of positive comments together with the areas identified for improvement which are already being addressed and continue to be imbedded into practice.

“The staff and management continue to strive to improve the experiences for the children in our care with the support of Swindon Borough Council.”

For the provision to meet the legal requirements of the early years register inspectors said Raindrops needed to “improve the quality of teaching” and to “establish effective systems for assessment and planning so that all children are supported in their learning as soon as they start to attend”.

While inspectors championed the friendly welcome afforded to youngsters, the robust safeguarding policies and the knowledge and understanding of staff, they said a lot of work was needed before it could be considered good.

They said: “Staff do not have high enough expectations of children. As a result, the quality of teaching does not provide sufficient challenge to enable all children to make good progress.

“Staff do not use effective systems to assess what children can do when they first start to attend to inform planning from the outset. This limits children’s learning.

“There are gaps in the provision of resources available to children, which limits children’s learning in the outdoor area and how they develop a positive view of themselves and their friends.

“Staff do not always consider how to include children in routine tasks and support their learning at snack and mealtimes.”

To see the report, visit http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/CARE/EY467700.