A HAMPSHIRE nursery rated “Inadequate” in a hard-hitting report by inspectors has closed - despite making major improvements.

The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) was highly critical of the privately-run Oak Nursery School, saying it failed to ensure children’s safety, kept inaccurate records and staged “mundane” activities.

Ofsted has now confirmed that all the issues raised in the report were later addressed by nursery staff.

But the organisation’s website describes the facility in Long Lane, Holbury, as “closed” and education bosses at Hampshire County Council have comfirmed the shutdown.

Two months ago the nursery was branded inadequate in all four categories - effectiveness of leadership, quality of teaching, personal development and outcomes for children - following an inspection carried out in February.

Ofsted’s report, which criticised the owner, Jaysee Lohur, said: “The quality of provision has declined further since the last inspection.

“The owner has a poor understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children’s welfare effectively. She fails to identify when children are at risk of harm and does not support staff to report concerns promptly.

“Recruitment and induction procedures are poor.

“The owner fails to identify weaknesses in staff performance. Staff deployment is ineffective and places children’s safety and wellbeing at further risk.”

It added: “The deputy manager does not have the skills to fulfil her role effectively. She does not ensure that staff maintain an accurate record of attendance or obtain prior written consent to administer medication to children.“The owner fails to monitor the quality of teaching, and assessments of children are inaccurate.

“Children do not make sufficient progress, activities are mundane and lack challenge.”

Following the inspection Ofsted issued the school with a welfare notice listing all the action that needed to be taken.

An Ofsted spokesman said: “We conducted a compliance visit on March 20 to assess if the provider was meeting the requirements of the notice. We found that the owner had taken appropriate action.”

Ms Lohur refused to comment when approached by the Daily Echo.

But a county council spokesman confirmed it had closed, adding: “We are supporting parents to find alternative childcare.”

The nursery, which opened five days a week for 50 weeks a year, operated from a converted house opposite Fawley refinery. In February it was listed as having 24 children aged 0-5 on the roll and four staff, all of who had early years qualifications.