A York nursery has been rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted – with inspectors raising concerns about children’s safety being compromised.
They have issued Walmgate Day Nursery with three areas where it must improve.
However, the report says the manager of the nursery “is aware of the areas of improvement required within the nursery”.
Ofsted carried out their inspection on 31 May and published the report yesterday (Monday).
They rated the nursery as follows:
- Overall effectiveness – Inadequate
- The quality of education – Requires improvement
- Behaviour and attitudes – Requires improvement
- Personal development – Inadequate
- Leadership and management – Inadequate
These were the key concerns.
- Children’s safety and wellbeing cannot be assured due to weaknesses in practice. Staff do not follow procedures for children who have food allergies and intolerances rigorously enough.
- One snack provided by staff was not suitable for all children in the room. “Although prompt action was taken when this was pointed out, children’s health and wellbeing were compromised.”
- Leaders and managers are unable to provide evidence that they have carried out checks on the suitability of some staff. “This compromises children’s safety.”
- Staff confidently describe the purpose of the activities they plan for children. “However, they do not consistently match learning opportunities accurately enough to individual children’s needs.”
- Quieter children do not participate enough in group activities.
Among the positives recorded by inspectors were these.
- Children behave well. They receive regular praise for using good manners. Children learn to share and to take turns. Staff build positive relationships with children.
- Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive effective interventions and make progress.
- Partnerships with parents are generally effective.
- “There is a clear emphasis on ensuring that children are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to prepare them for the next stage in their learning.”
Recent staff changes
Walmgate Day Nursery, based at 34 Walmgate, has 62 children aged 0-4 on roll, and 15 staff.
The report adds: “The manager is aware of the areas of improvement required within the nursery.
“There have been several recent changes to the staff team, and she is working hard to ensure that they understand their roles and responsibilities.
“The manager has welcomed support from the local authority.”
Ofsted says that Walmgate Day Nursery must:
- ensure that procedures to manage children’s special dietary requirements are understood and implemented by all staff
- improve staff’s delivery of the curriculum, so that they focus more closely on individual children’s learning needs
- make sure that effective procedures are put in place to demonstrate that checks have been carried out to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.
YorkMix approached the nursery for a response, but hasn’t heard back yet. The full report is available below
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