FROM OUTSTANDING TO INADEQUATE FOR GATTEN AND LAKE CHILDCARE

Shanklin-based Gatten and Lake Childcare has fallen from ‘Outstanding’ to ‘Inadequate’ in the eyes of Ofsted. The nursery – located in The Bay area – was visited by the government’s education watchdog last month and ranked ‘Inadequate’ in personal development as well as leadership and management. The quality of education at the nursery and the behaviour and attitudes were rated as ‘Requires Improvement’. Despite the weaknesses, Ofsted has said in a recently published report, children come into the pre-school happily and staff have caring relationships with the children. Parents told inspectors they were happy with the pre-school and the support their children receive as well as the ideas and activities that are shared to do at home. The report said inspectors know children well and provide a range of activities for them. However, staff do not link the activities they plan specifically to what children need to learn next and inspectors said their learning is ‘incidental rather than intended’. The inspectors said the nursery does not ensure all children make the best possible progress, including those with special education needs or children who speak English as an additional language. While children take part in small focus groups which help develop their knowledge, staff sometimes do not differentiate their teaching to meet the different needs of children. The pre-school, on Oaklyn Gardens, is secure, and staff demonstrate a good understanding of how to keep children safe, the report said, and they know what to do if they have concerns about the children in their care. However, the safeguarding arrangements were not effective and “there is not an open and positive culture which puts children’s interests first.” Inspectors said there are ‘weaknesses’ in the provision’s oversight and managers’ understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They also said the systems for recruiting and vetting staff are not ‘robust’ or ‘effective’ to ensure their ongoing suitability for the roles, which ‘does not assure children’s safety’, impacting on their personal development. Staff told inspectors their wellbeing is good and they feel valued with the potential for additional training to support their development. The nursery has been contacted for comment.