A WOMBWELL nursery which cares for more than 70 children has been plunged into Ofsted’s lowest category after an inspector found children placing ‘knives on their face close to their eyes’ while staff remained oblivious.
Little Ducklings, on Hemingfield Road, was inspected by the education watchdog once again on September 12 with inspector Jane Tucker rating the school ‘inadequate’, the lowest of the organisation’s four metrics.
It had been plunged into the inadequate rating in December 2022 and it has not managed to be rated higher than ‘requires improvement’ since.
The latest report, which was released to the public earlier this week, has raised serious concerns around the nursery.
It states: “Staff do not consistently organise routines well.
“Pre-school children sit at the table for a significant period before food arrives and this impacts on their behaviour.
“They bang cutlery on the table, turn their plates upside down and place knives on their face close to their eyes.
“This goes unnoticed by staff.
“Children with SEND wander the room eating food, which creates a risk of choking.
“Babies become bored and restless as they wait for their peers to finish handwashing routines.
“Some babies fall onto their bottom from low rise chairs, which upsets them.”
The report adds that children with special educational needs are not always receiving the support they need.
It added: “The support in place for children with SEND is inconsistent.
“Designated leaders and key persons work with other professionals to create individual learning plans.
“However, handovers between key persons and other staff, especially at mealtimes, are not effective.
“Children with SEND do not always receive the support they need at this time.
“This leads to their distressed behaviour.
“Furthermore, leaders do not share concerns about children’s development with parents as they identify them.
“This means children who may require additional support do not get the help they need promptly enough.”
Inspector Jane Tucker did find some positives during the inspection.
The report said: “Babies repeat words spoken by staff, such as ‘water on’ as they wash their hands.
“They put their paper towel in the bin, showing their early independence.
“The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
“There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children’s interests first.”
Leaders at the nursery have been given an eight-point improvement plan that they must complete by December 11.
The Chronicle approached the nursery for a comment but they failed to respond.
