Safety of children ‘compromised’ at nursery due to lack of checks on new staff

Provision at a Tameside nursery has been rated ‘inadequate’ by inspectors from education watchdog Ofsted.

Safety of children ‘compromised’ at nursery due to lack of checksAn inspection team visiting Kidzstop Day Nursery on Katherine Street, Ashton, said the safety of children was ‘compromised’ because checks into the backgrounds of staff had not been carried out properly.

In her report, inspector Savine Holgate said: “The provider does not implement robust systems to check the suitability of new staff before allowing them to have unsupervised contact with children. 

“This compromises children’s safety. 

“Furthermore, the provider does not ensure that all required information relating to staff Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks is recorded.”

However she added that staff at the nursery, which has 79 children attending “are welcoming, friendly and attentive”. 

The inspector said: “They ensure that children’s care needs are attended to swiftly. 

“Staff speak to children with respect and kindness and children show that they enjoy being around their key person. 

“Children arrive happy and new children settle quickly. 

“They behave well and are proud to show their achievements, such as when they receive a sticker for helping to tidy up. 

“They become engrossed during story times and show good listening and attention skills.”

The report said there is good support in place for children with special educational needs and or disabilities (SEND). 

The report said: “SEND make good progress and their individual needs are met. Children’s behaviour is good. They are eager to learn and participate in the many opportunities available to them. Two-year-old children enjoy engaging in group sessions.”

However, the inspector concluded: “The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

“There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children’s interests first.” Now the nursery has been told it must: “Ensure that staff whose suitability has not been checked do not have unsupervised contact with children being cared for and ensure that all required details relating to staff DBS checks are recorded.”