Ofsted highlights nursery worries (From Warrington Guardian)

Concerns over Winwick Pre-School Nursery raised by Ofsted

10:30am Wednesday 8th August 2012 in News

A NURSERY in Winwick has been slammed by Ofsted after an unannounced visit exposed numerous failings.

Ofsted has ordered Winwick Pre-School Nursery to improve after the surprise visit on July 2.

Inspectors highlighted various concerns including: 

•  No CRB checks done for some adults who come into direct contact with children
• ‘A very poor understanding’ from staff of how to ensure children are kept safe’
• Unclear procedures for reporting safeguarding concerns
• A lack of understanding on how to deal with an allegation against a staff member Ofsted has now served the pre-school with a notice to improve.

It must address problems flagged up or risk further action.

“Following our investigation we issued a notice of action to improve that asks the provider to: ensure that an effective safeguarding children policy and procedure, including what to do in the event of an allegation being made about a member of staff, is implemented,” said Ofsted.

“This must be understood by all staff and be informed by an up to date understanding of safeguarding children.”

It added that all staff and adults must be CRB checked.

The unannounced visit came after a complaint was made to Ofsted about childcare at the pre-school, which caters for up to 26 children aged between 2 and 5.

It is based at Winwick Leisure Centre, Myddleton Lane.

Officials did not wish to comment on the Ofsted visit when contacted by the Warrington Guardian.

In May 2011, Winwick Pre-School Nursery scored a rating of ‘good’ in every category during a formal Ofsted inspection, the second highest possible score.

The inspection praised learning, teaching and supervision at the pre-school.

Following that spot-check Sue Anslow, Her Majesty’s Inspector, said that children are kept safe from harm ‘through careful supervision by staff and close attention to the safeguarding policy and procedures’, while ‘all adults are checked and vetted’.

‘Anyone not vetted is never left on their own with the children’, she added.

But now performance has declined and Ofsted has told officials to make improvements.