Ofsted Calls For Urgent Improvements At Sandown Nursery

An Isle of Wight nursery has been told it needs to make urgent improvements after an Ofsted inspection raised concerns about children's safety, safeguarding and leadership.

The Island Day Nursery on Fort Street in Sandown has been rated as requiring urgent improvement in the areas of children's welfare and wellbeing, as well as leadership and governance.

Inspectors also identified four areas where improvements are needed — including children's achievement, behaviour and attitudes, routines, curriculum and teaching, and inclusion.

Ofsted said the nursery's leaders had failed to establish an open and positive safeguarding culture which adequately protects children from harm.

Concerns were also raised about supervision during mealtimes, particularly for younger children.

The report says children are not consistently supervised adequately while eating, potentially putting them at risk of choking.

Inspectors also found that safer-sleep guidance was not always followed, creating what Ofsted described as avoidable risks to babies, particularly in relation to heat.

The report highlights further concerns around children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, saying they do not consistently receive the support required to overcome barriers to learning and development.

Ofsted also found weaknesses in how the curriculum is delivered, resulting in children experiencing inconsistent teaching and learning and limiting their progress.

The report states that staff morale is low and that safeguarding practice is ineffective.

However, inspectors did identify some positive aspects of life at the nursery.

Children were described as benefiting from a welcoming environment, with opportunities to take part in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.

They develop physical skills through activities including pouring water and dancing, while babies and older children enjoy sharing books with staff and listening to stories throughout the day.

Ofsted is now issuing a Welfare Requirements Notice, requiring the nursery provider to take action.

This includes ensuring those with lead responsibility for safeguarding understand and follow the nursery's safeguarding policies.

Leaders must also improve their oversight of staff practice and procedures to ensure children's safety is maintained effectively.

The Island Day Nursery has been approached for a response.