AN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE nursery has been slammed by inspectors for multiple failings that leave children ‘at risk of serious illness’ and ‘at significant risk of harm.’
It has also been told enforcement action will be taken.
Ofsted found fire doors could not be opened at Gummy Bears and food given to children that had not been checked to ensure it has been cooked to a safe temperature.
Cooking facilities were also described as ‘extremely unclean and unhygienic’ while suitability checks for staff had not been carried out.
Staff cannot even contact some parents and carers in the event of an emergency as they have no registration forms.
Gummy Bears, on St Albans Road, was rated as inadequate and Ofsted said it ‘intends to take enforcement action.’
Its report following an inspection on July 8 states: “Multiple fire doors are locked or jammed, preventing them from being opened in an emergency.
“Children, staff and visitors are not safe in the event of a fire.
“Children play in tyres used for digging soil with plastic sheeting in them. Furthermore, stagnant water left in a mop bucket is accessible to children as they play. These pose a risk to children’s safety.
“Food is given to children that has not been suitably checked to ensure it has been cooked to a safe temperature.
“In addition, the facilities used to prepare all meals are extremely unclean and unhygienic. This puts children at risk of serious illness.
“The provider has not ensured that all staff working within the nursery have the appropriate qualifications and has failed to follow the nursery’s safer recruitment policies.
“This means staff who have not been subject to suitability checks have unsupervised contact with children.
“Failings in risk assessment mean the environment is not safe for children. This lack of secure safeguarding practice places children at significant risk of harm.”
More details on the failings at Gummy Bears included support for staff being weak and those placed to lead feeling overwhelmed to fulfil their role.
The scathing report also states the provider has not ensured that those looking after children are suitable by not obtaining an enhanced criminal records check, as is required, or carried out other vetting procedures.
Gummy Bears was issued with a welfare requirements notice to make sure improvements – including unlocking fire doors and making them free from obstruction, making sure every member of staff working with children has an enhanced criminal records check and ensuring there are hygienic facilities available for the preparation of food and staff who prepare and handle food are competent to do so – are done by a set date.
And inspectors noted the impact the setting is having on the 30 registered children and parents.
The report continues: “Children lack motivation and are easily distracted from their learning.
“The nursery has recently been through a turbulent period with many staff changes. This has contributed to the decline in the quality of the provision.
“Although parents have positive relationships with some key members of the staff team, they have raised concerns regarding the ‘inconsistent staff’.
“Parents are not aware of who is leading the setting. In addition, the provider has not ensured that important information for children is gained from parents.
“Staff are unable to contact some parents and carers in the event of an emergency as they have no registration forms.”
The Correspondent has approached Gummy Bears for comment in response to the Ofsted report.