A nursery branded inadequate by Ofsted last year has had its rating upgraded by inspectors.

Little Pickles Nursery, in White Ash Green, Halstead, was made subject to monitoring after a report published in October.

But a new inspection, published this week, has upgraded the nursery from “inadequate” to “requires improvement”.

It was praised for its “calm, relaxed and pleasant environment”, but the quality of teaching was described as variable.

The nursery currently employs 18 members of staff and cares for 97 children aged two to four.