A WORCESTER nursery failed by Ofsted inspectors says it is making good progress with improvements.

London Road Nursery School was issued with a notice to improve by government inspectors in July.

The nursery received an “inadequate” rating in all but two aspects of the inspection – the lowest grade achievable and was instructed to make improvements.

Manager Michelle Mills said: “Ofsted gave us five to six months to improve our services, which we have done substantially.

“We are now waiting for our next inspection.”

The inspectors’ report raised concerns about health and safety, such as children being able to access cleaning materials, equipment being damaged, children walking on wet floors in bare feet, and toddlers not having free access to drinking water during very warm weather.

They also said staff had a limited understanding of equal opportunities – with some not treating boys and girls equally, and others not understanding the importance of developing children’s self-help skills.

“The staff do not actively promote the uniqueness and individuality of each child,” said inspectors.

“They provide a range of activities and resources to enable all children to participate in all play opportunities regardless of gender, background, ability or disability.

“However, some staff are not actively involved with the children through the day, do not encourage children to extend activities and discussions, and conversations are limited, which restricts children’s language skills.”

The inspectors described children as “generally settled and relaxed”, but raised concerns that they were not supported enough to ensure that they developed fully as individuals.

“One child asked where the puzzles were,” said the report. “The staff member present told him: ‘In the drawer with the picture of puzzles on, can’t you see it’? The child said he could not. The staff member remained seated and another child found the drawer for him.”

However, the management team was praised in the report for its “clear vision for the future” and identifying areas for improvement.

The report said the nursery had addressed recommendations from its previous inspection, but raised concerns that not all staff supported the management.

Issues identified in the report

London Road Nursery School is one of four owned by Kinderkare Day Nurseries.

It operates from a two-storey building in Green Hill.

At the time of the inspection, there were 65 children on roll, although only 50 may attend at any one time.

The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm.

There are two secure enclosed outdoor play areas.

The nursery is able to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and children for whom English is an additional language.

The nursery employs 14 members of staff – 10 hold early years qualifications and two are working towards a qualification.

Overall effectiveness: Inadequate

Effectiveness of leadership and management of the early years provision: Inadequate

Quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage: Inadequate

Outcomes for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage: Inadequate

What needs to be improved

Ensure staff have the appropriate qualifications, training, skills, knowledge and that staffing arrangements are organised to ensure safety and to meet needs of the children.

Improve staff understanding of equality of opportunity and provide positive images and activities to challenge children’s thinking and help them develop respect for equality and for the differences in culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, learning difficulties and religion.

Ensure the risk assessment identifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and it should cover cover anything with which a child may come into contact.

Ensure fresh drinking water is available at all times.

What the nursery does well

There are sound recruitment procedures.

The management team has a clear vision for the future of the setting and have identified areas for improvement.

The company has a strong commitment to staff training.

The nursery has suitable relationships with schools which children transfer to.

Parents are encouraged to be fully involved in their child’s care and learning.