A NURSERY in Tunbridge Wells is currently addressing issues raised in an Ofsted report which found ‘children’s safety was compromised’ at the early years centre. Proof of these improvements were confirmed by an inspection on May 5.
Kinderversity in Pembury was rated ‘inadequate’ by the education regulator after an inspection on March 21, 2023.
In its report from March, Ofsted found that ‘children’s safety is compromised due to a lack of appropriate risk assessments’.
The inspection also said that ‘not enough action’ was ‘taken to put matters right’ by staff when ‘potential hazards were identified’ including hygiene risks in the kitchen.
It also found that due to staffing changes, there were not enough qualified members of staff with ‘the only member of staff working with the babies is an unqualified apprentice’.
Kinderversity Pembury is part of a chain of local nurseries under Kinderversity Limited which has branches across West Kent including Speldhurst, Tunbridge Wells, which was rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in September 2022.
The nursery employs six members of staff with three holding early years qualifications at level 2 or above and has 45 children registered with them from ages 0 – four.
It is not the first time the regulator has given a poor rating to the St Anselm’s Hall nursey with an Ofsted inspection in July 2022 finding the overall effectiveness of the nursery ‘requires improvement’.
After the inspection in March 2023, the nursery was required to ‘implement appropriate risk assessments’; make sure food preparation areas are safe; review and improve staffing arrangements; implement a suitable curriculum for children.
By their latest review on May 5, the centre was found to be making the recommended improvements with Ofsted confirming they were ‘satisfied the provider has met the safeguarding and welfare actions raised’.
Ofsted’s report said: “We found that the provider had improved their knowledge of risk assessments and they have new processes in place to identify hazards and address them appropriately.
“They have improved the staffing arrangements to consistently meet the needs of children.
“We are satisfied the provider has met the safeguarding and welfare actions raised. The provider is still registered with Ofsted.”
The report did pick up on some of the nursery’s positives such as the children’s satisfaction and staff support.
Ofsted said: “The children do enjoy their time at nursery. They relish the opportunity to play in the muddy garden.
“Staff support children to ride bikes through puddles and encourage them to explore the marks they have made.
“Staff plan activities through the day. For example, children enjoy exploring a variety of sensory play as part of the ‘five senses’ topic.
“However, staff do not always extend children’s learning well enough.”
“Staff support children to learn suitable social skills. For example, children finish their snack and go and ask their friends if they would like a turn next.
“Children like helping each other. For example, they help others to put on clean socks after coming in from the garden. Children form suitable friendships and enjoy playing together.”
Ofsted also observed the staff’s good knowledge of safeguarding policy and identifying signs of abuse. The report continued: “Staff do have a secure knowledge of how to identify possible signs of abuse.
“They are aware of the role of the designated lead, and they know the steps to take to refer their concerns on to the local authority. Staff know what other possible support can be put in place to help families.
