Concerns for children at day nursery

Inspectors blasted Rosebridge Private Day Nursery in Ince for placing children at “significant risk” because employees’ knowledge of safeguarding was “weak”.

They found “inaccurate” assessments of what children knew and could do, “inadequate” teaching and “poor lines of communication” with parents, as some did not know their child’s key person.

Ofsted said staff lacked the knowledge of how to help children progress, so some were “significantly delayed in all areas of learning”, and outcomes were described as “poor”.

They found children were given meals high in sugar and salt and babies were given juice in bottles.

The inspectors did find a newly-appointed manager had “identified areas of significant weakness” and had a “realistic action plan”.

But the Ofsted report said: “Practical steps to make improvements have not yet been implemented, which has a significant impact on outcomes for children. Staff knowledge relating to safeguarding children is inadequate which places children at significant risk.”

They continued: “There are instances where concerns about children have not been adequately followed up with outside agencies, which has potentially placed children at risk of harm.”

Recommendations for improvements were made.

Ofsted is issuing a welfare requirements notice requiring the nursery to ensure staff have an adequate knowledge of safeguarding, provide healthy food and drinks, and have an effective key-person system for all children.

Ofsted rated Rosebridge Private Day Nursery as “inadequate” in all areas.

Inspectors visited last month and their report was published yesterday (Wednesday).

Laura-Jayne Cutler, the newly-appointed nursery manager, commented on the Ofsted report.

She said: “We note the judgement of this Ofsted inspection and are disappointed, but we can reassure parents that findings raised in the report had been identified and an action plan has been put in place to make the necessary changes.

“With the support of Ofsted and the local authority we will be working hard with the backing of the children, parents and staff to improve our standards of care.”