A HOSPITAL nursery branded “inadequate” after a child was rushed to A&E following an overdose is now rated “good”.

Ofsted has rated the Ladybird Nursery, which is run and managed by Southend Hospital, as “good” in its latest inspection.

The nursery in Cardigan Avenue, Southend, brought in award-winning manager Lynda Bartholomew after the children’s services watchdog judged it “inadequate” in a report published in August.

Ms Bartholomew said: “I am thrilled for the staff and parents of children who attend Ladybird Nursery.

“We have a dedicated and committed team here so it is great to see all of our efforts recognised in this way.”

The nursery, based in a converted house, looks after about 90 children aged from three months to four years old, many of whose parents work at the hospital, nextdoor.

Ofsted visited the nursery in January after a child was given too much Calpol the previous month.

Inspectors also found the nursery, which cares for 68 children, had been without a manager taking responsibility for the children’s care for a year.

But Ofsted now says children and babies at the nursery make good progress, they develop strong bonds with key people, there are positive relationships between staff and parents and safeguarding procedures are robust and rigorous.

In its report, it said: “The new manager and her staff team are passionate, conscientious practitioners.

“They have carried out a major review of their practice and as a result, all the actions set at last inspection have been successfully addressed.”

Ms Bartholomew said: “This has been a real team effort and we are already working on putting Ofsted’s recommendations into place.

“Our dedicated staff have put an amazing amount of hard work into helping improve the nursery.

“I would also like to thank our parents and carers for their constant support during this time.”

Nadine Cohen, of Great Wakering, is an obstetric and gynaecology rota coordinator at Southend Hospital, and her daughter Phoebe, aged three and a half, has attended the nursery for the last three years.

She said: “Staff are always so friendly, very approachable and the nursery is flexible enough to respond to parent needs even at short notice.

“Just as importantly Phoebe looks forward to attending each and every day.”