Former inadequate West Bromwich nursery recommended for demolition to build flats

An empty former nursery that closed after several ‘inadequate’ inspections should be demolished to make way for new flats, a council report has said.

New plans propose demolishing the former Joyful Children’s Nursery in West Bromwich, which closed in 2022, to make way for six flats.

The nursery in Old Meeting Street closed after a long list of concerns were raised in inadequate-rated inspections by education watchdog Ofsted.

Sandwell Council’s planning committee meets on Wednesday (October 21) with a recommendation from planning officers the work is approved.

The planning application asked for permission to demolish the former nursery, listed as Athol House, to make way for six two-bed flats in a new two-storey building.

The report said the new building would be a “betterment”.

“The conservation and heritage officer has reviewed the amended proposal and has no objections,” the planning report said.

“The architect has ensured that as many of the significant features of the original building as possible are being incorporated into the design particularly at the front elevation.”

The nursery, previously named Bundles of Joy, received its third inadequate rating in a row from Ofsted in 2019 before being re-named Joyful Children’s Nursery in 2021.

Joyful Children’s Nursery was registered in January 2021 and rated ‘requires improvement’ in every possible category that October.

The nursery was inspected again in April 2022 and rated ‘inadequate’ across the board.

The report said the nursery’s managers did not make sure the building was secure at all times which meant children could leave unsupervised or unauthorised people could enter.

The nursery also failed to ensure staff were suitable for roles and had up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues in order to identify signs of abuse and neglect.

Ofsted said the nursery said learning for children was “poor” and the nursery lacked stimulation – particularly for younger children who struggled to engage and would often become bored and wander the room aimlessly.

The quality of provision at the nursery had “decreased significantly” since the previous 2021 inspection, Ofsted said, and the nursery’s management had failed to meet their statutory requirements and the quality of care and education was “inadequate”.

“Managers fail to ensure that the premises remain safe and suitable for children,” the Ofsted report said. “They do not notice that the entrance door has been left unlocked, which has an impact on children’s safety.

“Some areas of the nursery are dirty and there is an accumulation of waste behind radiator covers, including pieces of food, wrappers and cutlery.”