Steps Ahead Day Nursery and Nursery School rated 'inadequate'

The move follows Ofsted’s inspection on Thursday, July 11 at the Steps Ahead Day Nursery and Nursery School in Wiltshire Drive, off Bradley Road.

The nursery was rated ‘inadequate’ in four categories for the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

At its previous Ofsted inspection in 2018, the nursery had been rated ‘Good’ for its overall effectiveness.

Janine Collishaw, the Steps Ahead Nursery principal, said: “Whilst we are always willing to take on board feedback, we are disappointed by Ofsted’s recent inspection findings and do not consider that this is a true or balanced reflection of our nursery.

Steps Head Nursery in Edington Drive off Wiltshire Drive, Trowbridge, has been rated 'Inadequate' by Ofsted. (Image: Trevor Porter)

“Following the inspection outcome, we took steps to raise our concerns through Ofsted’s internal complaints procedures.

“Children’s safety, care and development is our priority, and we are keen to demonstrate this to Ofsted at our next inspection which should take place within a matter of weeks.”

The Ofsted report said: “The provision is inadequate. Breaches to requirements have a negative impact on children's health, safety and learning.

“Leaders and staff do not work in partnership with parents and other professionals to meet children's needs and to support those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

“Leaders put procedures in place for some children with dietary and medical needs, but not for all.

“The key-person system is not always effective. For example, leaders and children's key persons do not follow parental advice when managing children with additional needs.

It adds: “In addition, when professionals give advice and specialist equipment to aid children's engagement and learning, staff do not use these to help children to make the best possible progress. Their failure to act impacts on children's ability to thrive and develop.

“Although staff have mandatory training on subjects such as child protection and paediatric first aid, leaders do not ensure that staff have the skills and knowledge to help them meet children's needs effectively.

“Furthermore, staff do not understand how to implement their curriculum so that all children engage in purposeful play and learning.

“Staff also do not recognise how to identify and reduce risks to children, which leaves them vulnerable to accidents.”

The regulator said safeguarding arrangements were not effective, adding: “There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.”

Ofsted gave Steps Ahead a deadline of August 2 to take six steps to meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and Childcare Register.

The report notes that staff do "identify where some children have delays in development and refer them to other professionals for support" and "staff recognise the importance of managing children's dietary needs, and they do this for most of the children".

It also adds: "Overall, children are happy and have good relationships with their peers and the staff who care for them."