Safeguarding measures raised at Walsall nursery

Ofsted has rated White Rabbits Kindergarten and Pre-School Nursery on Mellish Road inadequate in every category after a host of failings were found.

Inspectors from the education watchdog raised concerns over leaders not knowing the process to follow if a complaint is made about a member of staff as well as children with special needs or disabilities not being supported properly.

Ofsted also stated that the nursery's failings are hindering children's progress.

The nursery’s leadership, quality of teaching, children’s behaviour and outcomes for children were all given the basement rating of inadequate.

Ofsted inspector Trisha Turney said in her report after she visited the nursery last month: “Leaders have failed to create a positive safeguarding culture. Not all staff have a secure understanding of child protection. Leaders are unclear of the procedures to follow if an allegation is made about a member of staff. Children are not adequately safeguarded.

“Children's emotional security is not promoted well because the key-person system is not effective.

“Staff do not manage children's behaviour consistently. They do not help children to understand about acceptable ways to behave.

“Children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are not well supported. Staff do not work in partnership with parents and other professionals involved to improve outcomes for children.

“Staff are not supported to develop their knowledge and skills. Observation and assessment are ineffective. Planning of activities to match the interests and needs of the children is not focused and purposeful. These weaknesses hinder children’s progress.

“Staff have not established links with other early years settings that children attend.”

Speaking specifically on the children’s learning at the nursery, Ms Turney added: “Children quickly lose interest in the limited activities on offer and wander around the room. Staff working with babies have a poor understanding of how to promote their development.

“Babies are expected to sit still for too long as staff try and engage them in singing or stories with little success. Staff's interactions with children are poor and they do not inspire children to learn. Children do not receive sufficient challenge to extend their learning.”

The nursery was however praised for making sure its children get ‘daily fresh air and exercise’.

Manager Patience Baro-Thomas said: "We are working very closely with the early years, improvement company and local authority to address the issues within the deadline Ofsted has given us.

"We hope within three months they will come out and inspect us again. We are working as hard as we can to turn it around and make it a good place for the children who come here."