Nursery slammed by Ofsted in report

ANURSERY has been told to improve after an Ofsted report that says an allegation of abuse went unreported and DBS checks were incomplete when staff began work.

Following a visit from inspectors last month Pollyannas Day Nursery, in Prestbury, has been rated inadequate.

During the visit an inspector had to intervene when a one-year-old child climbed onto a table, says the report.

It also states owner Clare Barrett-Bee did not ensure all staff had Disclosure and Disbarring Service (DBS) checks or suitable references before allowing them unsupervised contact with children.

Safeguarding of children was criticised as posing ‘ a significant risk to children’s safety and welfare’ and Ofsted has issued a welfare requirements notice to demand improvement.

The report, published following a visit on October 10, says: “There are several breeches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements that pose a significant risk to children’s safety and welfare.

“Following an allegation of abuse made against a member of staff, the provider did not follow her safeguarding policy and the local authority guidance for reporting procedures.

“She did not report the allegation to Ofsted.

“The provider does not consistently implement safe recruitment processes. Occasionally, the provider allows staff whose suitability has not been checked to have unsupervised contact with children.”

The allegation of abuse was of a non-sexual nature.

Other criticisms included staff deployment at lunch breaks being ‘unsafe’ and an inconsistent quality of teaching.

But there was praise for children being ‘happy and settled’ as well as forming secure relationships with staff.

The premises themselves, on Macclesfield Road, were described as ‘secure and hygienic and it was said younger children develop effective listening and attention skills.

The nursery, which has 67 children on roll, was also graded in four sub categories. For leadership and management as well as personal, development, behaviour and welfare it was given inadequate.

For outcomes for children as well as quality of teaching, learning and assessment it was said to require improvement.

Miss Barrett-Bee declined to comment.