Children ‘put at risk’ by inadequate Church Street nursery
A Church Street nursery that puts “children’s welfare and safety at risk” has received a damning Ofsted report just six months after opening.
Abeona Nursery, which opened in Boscobel Street last September, was rated “inadequate” in every category in its first inspection last month.
The report criticises a wide variety of aspects of the nursery from the knowledge of staff to the poor quality of teaching and even a lack of fresh drinking water.
It has now been told to rapidly improve or face possible closure.
The report states: “There is no documentation available to demonstrate that staff have been suitably checked and unvetted adults have unsupervised contact with children.”
The nursery is criticised for a lack of understanding of adequate staffing levels, a lack of knowledge of safeguarding procedures, and a failure to plan indoor and outdoor experiences.
Pupil safety is also “put at risk” by staff not ensuring the front entrance is kept securely locked to prevent intruders, it said.
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Room temperature is not maintained and fire drills are not carried out.
The privately-owned nursery has 13 pupils on its register, catering for children up to the age of eight. It employs four staff.
Located on the first floor of a converted building, the nursery website says it is “full of light”. But the Ofsted report complains about a lack of access to fresh air and outdoor activities.
The website also advertises that all toys are “brand new” and “regularly checked”, but the inspection found the “quality of resources was poor” with books kept in a bad condition and toys “stored untidily with pieces missing”.
Church Street Cllr Barbara Grahame said she had concerns about the nursery’s private owner and lack of outdoor space before it opened.
“I was very worried when the nursery opened and I raised the issue of it being located up a steep set of steps on the first floor and the fact that it would be very difficult to get to outdoor play space,” she said.
“I was also concerned that the nursery was privately owned.
“I’m desperately sad about the experience that the children have had in their first educational experience.”
The Wood&Vale visited the nursery on a number of occasions but was unable to contact any staff.
