A NURSERY has been rated inadequate in an inspection report which highlights a “significant decline” since the last inspection.

Ofsted inspected Little Lodge Nursery School in Swinesherd, Spetchley, Worcester, on January 31 following a concern raised about the provider.

Owner of the nursery, Jane Jones said: “I am absolutely devastated. After 30 years of working with children it is really upsetting.

“We have done nothing wrong – there are lots of things in the report which are not true.”

Bonnie Pope, aged 38, a mother of two children who have attended the nursery, said: “My husband is a school governor, so we do not send our children to any nursery. The nursery has very high standards.

“Little Lodge Nursery is a fantastic provider and my children have been very happy there. We have no concern at all. The staff do a wonderful job.”

The previous inspection date at Little Lodge Nursery School was held in July 2015 and was rated ‘Outstanding.’

The most recent report found that the nursery’s safeguarding procedures were rated as ‘inadequate,’ with inspectors finding children were not properly supervised and staff fail to identify potential hazards.

The report said: “There has been significant decline in the quality of the provision since the last inspection. Safeguarding is not effective. The provider has failed to ensure all staff are suitably vetted and hold the relevant Disqualification and Barring Service checks.

“Leaders and staff do not have sufficient regard for the safety and well-being of children. They fail to identify potential hazards. Young children play out of sight, climbing on tables and in and out of cots. Babies play with small toys and shredded newspaper, which present a potential choking hazard.”

The inspection also found children’s progress is hindered, as the planning of activities to match the needs of the children is not focused and purposeful.

Nevertheless, access to the nursery was praised by Ofsted for being “stringently monitored.”

It has also been recognised that the staff at Little Lodge Nursery School are aware of the signs of abuse and neglect and the reporting procedures they should follow.

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