Oswestry nursery school given 'inadequate' rating
A nursery based in the grounds of a college has been rated inadequate following a critical Ofsted inspection.
Footsteps Nursery, situated in the vicinity of North Shropshire College in Oswestry, was rated inadequate in all areas, despite being judged good during an inspection in 2013.
Inspectors said poor communication has led to "ineffective leadership, inadequate safeguarding arrangements, poor self-evaluation and a clear lack of oversight of the quality of care, teaching and learning".
Leaders were also criticised for "failing to work together to create a positive safeguarding culture" following the inspection led by Inspector Deborah Udakis.
Her report said: "Staff have a poor understanding of wider child protection issues. Leaders do not complete, or record, all the required investigations and checks to ensure the suitability of staff."
Ofsted officers said the inspection, which took place in September, had been brought forward as a result of a risk assessment and concerns that safeguarding arrangements may not be secure.
The nursery belongs to the college, which was judged by Ofsted inspectors as inadequate following an inspection in January. The nursery has 62 places for babies, toddlers and school age children of 12 years and under.
See the full Ofsted report here
In its summary of findings, her report stated: "North Shropshire College (the provider) has failed to learn essential lessons from its own previous inspections when safeguarding arrangements were found to be of serious concern. The arrangements to safeguard children in the nursery are ineffective.
"Learning outcomes for children are not good enough. Some children make no discernible progress over time."
The nursery was also criticised for a lack of cleanliness.
However, inspectors noted that parents "hold the nursery in high regard" and that relationships between staff and children at the nursery were strong.
A spokeswoman for Footsteps said: "
The weaknesses highlighted in the report have been swiftly and robustly addressed, and the management and staff are determined to achieve Grade 2 within six months when the next inspection will take place. The inspection highlighted a number of strengths."
Contact the manager or deputy on 01691 688007 or email l.rodgers@nsc.ac.uk
