A NURSERY has turned its fortunes around after Ofsted inspectors rated it Good following its latest inspection.

1st Safari’s Thornton Lodge Day Nursery, in James Street, Bradford, was rated Outstanding in 2016, but fell to the lowest ranking possible two years later when officials deemed its services to be Inadequate.

During the inspection, Ofsted highlighted a number of issues, including that “staff are not aware of how to keep children safe”.

Plans were put in place to turn the centre around and an unannounced inspection in November found it to be improving and awarded it a Good rating, with staff now winning praise for their abilities.

Inspectors said the nursery staff “provide individually tailored care and learning for each child” and “are good role models who teach children essential social skills.”

The report said children at Thornton Lodge make good progress, are well behaved and are eager learners, while staff continually improve and build strong foundations for children’s future learning.

The children who go to the nursery are well-prepared for school and are inquisitive and well-focused.

The report also found they show interest in early literacy and how things work.

Gareth Ryder-Smith, manager, said his staff had put in extra effort to turn the nursery around and claimed action plans were put in place at the end of the first week of their Inadequate rating.

He told the Telegraph & Argus: “We are really happy with the outcome.

“We have had a six month period to turn it around.

“We had no notice the inspectors were coming, so we are really pleased.

“We went back to basics after the last inspection and did all of our training right from scratch.

“Now we do on the spot questions with staff, so if there are any issues we can deal with them there and then.

“It’s exceptionally good for the staff who come to work here every day.

“It wasn’t a nice feeling for them to have that grade hanging over their head, but they put in 100 per cent and the inspectors felt it was in a much better place.”

Mr Ryder-Smith admitted the Inadequate rating forced some parents to remove their children from the nursery and take them elsewhere, but many of them supported the business.

He added: “Some children sadly moved on, but a good group of parents stayed with us and supported us.

“The local authority came out to on four visits to see us and they have gone through various things with us to make sure everything was as it should be.”