A COLNE nursery has received a damning report from government inspectors who labelled it “dirty” and ordered it to improve.
Little People of Colne in Derby Street was slammed by Ofsted inspectors who classed it “inadequate” following an inspection visit on July 16th.
The nursery, run by Preston-based Littlecraft Nurseries, failed in 16 out of 17 categories and was given a Notice to Improve by the watchdog.
The report states that: “A number of legal requirements are not being met, which compromises children’s safety and well-being.
“Children’s ability to make progress in their learning and development is restricted because the educational programme and quality of teaching is not rigorous enough.”
But it was not just the teaching that came under attack from inspectors.
A litany of failings was highlighted by the inspectors:
l Some furniture not “age appropriate” with babies seated at chairs and eating at tables intended for much older school age children.
l Some tables “not secure” inhibiting physical development of older babies.
l Children’s attendance not consistently recorded and information about who has legal contact and parental responsibility for some children not recorded.
l Children’s good health and well-being compromised because of poor standards of cleanliness.
l Children not leaning the importance of socially acceptable behaviour because instances go unnoticed or unchallenged by staff.
l Quality of teaching at times poor and impacts directly on children’s enjoyment and ability to develop skills for the future.
It has also emerged that the nursery was given the second worst rating possible for food hygiene standards by Pendle Council’s Environmental Health department.
Although, it is privately-run, the nursery is now in talks with Lancashire County Council about the best way to enact Ofsted’s demands for improvements.
Bob Stott, Lancashire County Council’s director with responsibility for early years provision, said: “Lancashire County Council does not itself provide day nursery care, but has an overarching role to ensure that there is sufficient high-quality childcare in the county to meet the needs of Lancashire families.
“Our advisers and consultants are currently working with the management of Little People of Colne on an action plan to address the concerns raised by the Ofsted report.”
The nursery management declined to comment when contacted by the Colne Times.