Nursery in Test Valley rated 'Inadequate' by Ofsted
The facility has been slammed by inspectors
Last updated 24th Jun 2021
A nursery near Salisbury has been rated as inadequate in all areas after inspectors found issues with staffing, hygiene and the curriculum.
Norman Court Montessori Day Nursery in West Tytherley was visited by Ofsted back in May - they've now been told they must improve in areas including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.
The watchdog is now taking enforcement action against the nursery.
With the overall effectiveness of the site ranked as ‘Inadequate’, Ofsted said in its report, published on June 10, that:
“children’s health and wellbeing are compromised”, and “any learning that takes place is incidental, staff frequently leave the room leaving insufficient staff to support the children."
The inspection highlighted that children are not being challenged enough to progress, and there has not been enough support and coaching for staff.
The report comments:
“Staff interactions do not meet the varied learning needs of the children. For example, staff do not understand the intent of their curriculum, and activities for older children are not well planned and lack purpose.”
Other incidents recorded during the inspection included staff frequently leaving the room, a potty remaining in the toddler room within children’s reach after a child had used it, and staff being prompted to wash children’s hands between playing outside and lunch - raising hygiene concerns.
This was the first inspection the nursery has had during the Covid-19 pandemic, but in the last 12 months the nursery has received two regulatory visits from Ofsted, following childcare provision complaints.
In order to improve its rating, Norman Court managers and staff must receive effective coaching “to fully understand roles and responsibilities”, and children must be supervised effectively so their needs are met.