A KNOWLE nursery closed today as owners hit out at education
inspectors.
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It was rated inadequate – the worst possible rating – by education
inspectorate Ofsted in February, compared to good in 2011.
Ofsted said activities are “limited”, staff have a “poor
awareness” of learning, some children who are “upset, play alone and do not
learn effectively”.
A letter to parents said said it had “striving to improve
our knowledge” of requirements.
It said: “Unfortunately, a great number of our parents have
left us, presumably to go to other nurseries.”
It said “other nurseries in our area have been judged
inadequate” but did not give names.
A re-inspection yesterday rated the nursery satisfactory, it
said, but hit out at “Ofsted's unreasonable delay to return to inspect us”.
It said: “Bearing in mind if we were that inadequate they
surely would have returned much sooner as they have done with other
inadequately graded nurseries has come too late.”
The manager has retired but another staff member has not
accepted the post while the deputy manager has left, it said.
The letter said: “As we felt that we had a good staff team
now and to ensure less staff turnover as part of the process of re-establishing
and building the business, in a similar manner to 'John Lewis' we offered all
the full time staff the prospect to become 'partners' in the business.
“Disappointingly, not enough of the staff members are
interested in this opportunity.
“Without a manager or deputy manager we are in an impossible
position and as such we are unable to remain open.
“We thank you for your loyalty over time and we are
committed to using these unforeseen circumstances to take the time to refurbish
our beautiful unique building to return to offer care for children in the
future.”
It comes as another nursery - Wittsend Day Nursery, Eastcote
– that was also rated inadequate in February is told by Ofsted it is now making“satsfactory progress”.
It was criticised in February about child safety over smells
from the boiler and staff deployment and the quality of teaching and learning.
It says: “An action plan has been drawn up to address the
required improvements.
“Staff have undertaken training within the nursery to
improve their knowledge and
understanding of procedures to follow to meet both health
and safety guidelines and
child protection procedural guidelines.”
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