A preschool has made an impressive turnaround from being judged as inadequate to good in just four months.

Busy Bees Preschool, in Elizabeth Court, Laindon, had all four of its key services – leadership management, teaching quality, development and outcomes for children graded as inadequate during inspections by education watchdog Ofsted in September 2017.

The nursery, which has 45 students, was also found to have failed to safeguard children when an internet advertisement appeared on a computer screen.

The watchdog said they did not have a strong firewall to protect pupils.

Ofsted inspectors returned for another visit last month and concluded the school has improved in all four services.

Donna Surridge, headteacher, said: “We’re very pleased with our achievements, and it was a very long four months.

“Response from our parents have always been positive and they’re happy with how our staff encourages students to learn.

“We jumped two grades, everyone worked really hard for this. Last time inspectors said we failed to safeguard children from a computer advertisement but we’ve shown we have improved our firewall security.”

Inspectors said in the report: “The manager and staff team have worked hard to secure significant improvements in the quality of all aspects of the pre-school. Children are safe and learn well through play.

“Staff recognise the possible signs that children may be likely to suffer harm. They know how to make a safeguarding referral. They ensure that children do not have unsupervised access to the internet.

“The good levels of interaction between staff and children help to aid children’s concentration and introduce challenges to extend their learning. For example, when children make stars from the dough, staff encourage the children to identify the sounds of initial letters.

“Staff help children to make good relationships. This helps children to feel settled and secure at pre-school.

“Children behave well. They listen when staff speak to them and follow instructions well.

“Children make good progress and they are confident.”