Nurseries reopen but given Ofsted demands

The operator of two nurseries that were temporarily closed by Ofsted has been told that they must meet certain standards by early February.

Parents of children at the Playday sites in Hemdean Road and Milestone Way, both in Caversham, were told earlier this month of the closures.

Ofsted confirmed earlier this week that both sites have since reopened and on Monday published details of standards, regarding staff, safeguarding and records, they must meet by 9 February.

The nurseries' management was approached to comment.

Ofsted said it "received concerns that the provider was not meeting requirements", regarding several areas including children's safety and welfare, paediatric first aid and safeguarding, on 8 January.

It said the provider's registration was suspended on 12 January and that it carried out a regulatory visit on 23 January.

Inspectors found the provider "was not meeting some of [its] requirements".

Ofsted said it served a welfare requirements notice, a legal notice that it said "requires the provider to take [actions] within the timescales set out".

It said by 9 February, the provider needs to "improve the oversight from the designated lead for safeguarding to swiftly and thoroughly ensure that any concern regarding children's safety and welfare is dealt with in accordance with guidance from local safeguarding partners' guidance."

It must also "take all reasonable steps" to make sure staff working with children "are consistently suitable to fulfil their role."

Ofsted also told it to ensure staff's references are "independent, sufficient and come from a legitimate source" and that there is "ongoing comprehensive oversight and review of staff's practice".

The provider must also "maintain accurate and precise records to ensure the smooth running of the setting" and "improve knowledge" of what it needs to give Ofsted in the event of "significant incidents".