Hospital nursery reopens

The Toybox Day Nursery had its registration suspended for a week, to allow urgent staff training to take place.

The setting, open to the children of up to 4,000 members of staff at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust in Wiltshire, was previously rated good following a 2014 Ofsted inspection.

A Trust spokesman said, ‘[The] Trust has responded positively to address the issues raised by Ofsted following its unannounced visit on Tuesday, 14 June 2016, of the Toybox Day Nursery.  

‘Following a re-inspection of the nursery, which provides nursery support to staff, Ofsted has lifted its suspension of the service and this will resume on Wednesday, 22 June 2016.’

The spokesman previously explained, ‘Ofsted has suspended the registration because staff do not have a sufficient understanding of their roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children.

‘This potentially puts children at risk of harm. The Trust is working closely with Ofsted and Wiltshire Council to address the situation as quickly as possible.’

An Ofsted spokesperson said, ‘We are aware of an incident at this setting and are carrying out an investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further while this is ongoing.’

The latest inspection report has yet to be published.

The 2014 report praised the ‘strong emphasis on safeguarding children's welfare’, which looks after children aged three months to five years.

‘Consequently, children are safe, secure and settled,’ it added.

According to the report 173 early years children were on the roll at the setting operating from two purpose-built units at Salisbury District Hospital, Odstock, with seven playrooms, and offering support for children with special educational needs and children who speak English as an additional language.

There were 42 staff working with the children, including one with Early Years Professional Status and one with Qualified Teacher Status, with most others qualified across a range of levels.