A nursery which was once slammed as 'chaotic' with 'distressed' children has dramatically transformed into a safe and happy environment in six months.

Roly Poley's Private Nursery on Trinity Street offers daycare for children aged between zero to four years old.

When an inspector visited the premises towards the end of 2022, Ofsted published a shocking report, citing concerns over safety, education and leadership at the nursery.

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Inspector Shauneen Wainwright wrote at the time that children were "distressed" in a "chaotic, disorderly environment".

She then said staff "do not respond appropriately or swiftly", nor are they "supportive of children's personal development or feelings of security".

The damning report saw the nursery rated 'inadequate' overall, suggesting it had plummeted in standards from its prior 'good' grade in 2018.

However, the education watchdog has now said the nursery has made "significant improvements" in a follow-up inspection just six months later.

In her report, Ofsted inspector Lois Hulley praised leaders, staff and the quality of education on offer at the nursery.

Commenting on the leadership of the nursery, the inspector said the nursery now operates to a "consistently good level".

Staff now understand their roles, take pride in their work and have even completed additional training to help them improve.

Ms Hulley concluded: "The setting is well led and managed."

When it came to the curriculum, the report revealed the nursery has also "revised" its learning plan to be "well sequenced", focusing on all seven key areas of learning.

There is a particular emphasis on early maths skills at Roly Poley's after leaders identified this as a potential gap in the children's development.

Another major strength of the setting is bosses' "relentless encouragement" in fostering a love of reading in the children, Ms Hulley added.

Children "join in stories with fascination" while babies enjoy nursery rhymes and preschool children develop an awareness of beat and rhythm as they play musical instruments.

This helps the children to develop an understanding of how language works and how to use it well.

Ms Hulley also said children are "safe and happy" with playful learning "abundant in every room".

Both older children and younger children are kept occupied in their learning and lean on "the help of skilful staff" while toddlers build friendships and babies develop attachments through "lots of one-to-one interactions with friendly staff".

As a result, the children adhere to the nursery's rules, are "kind and considerate" of others and "show respect for one another".

Meanwhile, children with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are also supported well at the nursery.

Outside of their learning, the youngsters further benefit from hands-on experiences, such as trips to the post office to find out what happens to post.

Parents told the watchdog that they feel "well informed and respected" by the staff team as the inspector found parents are invited to 'stay-and-play' sessions where they can join in learning activities, such as story time.

The nursery has now successfully clawed its "good" Ofsted grade back, but to increase its grade even further Ms Hulley said the nursery should utilise additional funding and further develop its supervision system.

Reflecting on the dramatic turnaround of the nursery, the owner, Rachelle Pole, said she was "very pleased" with the outcome.

Ms Pole said: "I feel this is a true reflection of the quality of care and learning experiences we provide for the children.

"I am particularly proud to see that the good provision we have for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities has been acknowledged as this is an area of real passion for all the staff.

"I am also proud that our 'relentless encouragement for children to develop a love of books' has been recognised as a strength and how this is helping children learn and use language well." 

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