A nursery in Sandown has made required safeguarding and welfare improvements after Ofsted found serious weaknesses, including babies being left unsupervised while eating, unsafe sleeping arrangements and staff who feared retaliation if they raised concerns.
The Island Day Nursery, on Fort Street, was inspected on 15th July after Ofsted carried out a risk assessment following information received about the provider.
Inspectors found safeguarding standards were not met, while children’s welfare, wellbeing, leadership and governance were both assessed as requiring “urgent improvement”.
Achievement, behaviour and routines, curriculum and teaching, and inclusion were all judged as “needs attention”.
Ofsted said leaders had failed to ensure there was an open and positive safeguarding culture and found safeguarding policies and practices were not clearly understood and followed by staff.
Multiple concerns raised by employees had not been dealt with promptly, including concerns about mobile phone use and people’s ongoing suitability to fulfil their roles.
Inspectors also found compulsory procedures for reporting allegations to outside agencies had not been followed.
Ofsted said staff morale was low, with employees not feeling confident about sharing concerns with leaders and managers because they feared retaliation or believed no action would be taken.
Significant concerns were also identified around the care of babies.
Babies were placed to sleep in temperatures “significantly above” safe-sleep guidance, while staff were observed leaving tables where babies were eating to interact with others elsewhere.
Ofsted said leaving youngsters unsupervised while eating and created significant safety risks, particularly choking hazards.
Inspectors also found weaknesses in risk assessments. Rubbish bags were left accessible outside, while unstable equipment, stacked chairs and items left on floors presented avoidable hazards.
Key-person arrangements were also described as ineffective, with some staff failing to recognise babies’ cues or understand why they were distressed.
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities did not always receive consistent support, while teaching and learning varied across the nursery.
However, inspectors also identified positives. Children benefited from a welcoming environment and indoor and outdoor activities, while staff generally promoted language development.
Leaders responsible for SEND were found to work closely with parents and external professionals, while the nursery had positive relationships with families.
Ofsted subsequently served a Welfare Requirements Notice on 24th July.
A separate complaint outcome published by the regulator reveals Ofsted had initially received concerns on 10th June relating to safeguarding, whistleblowing, children’s safety and welfare, suitable people and children’s behaviour.
The nursery was ordered to strengthen safeguarding and whistleblowing arrangements, improve risk assessments, ensure children were supervised while eating and improve safe-sleep procedures.
It was also required to provide baby-care training to at least half of staff and improve key-person arrangements and support for children with SEND or other barriers to learning.
The provider responded to the required actions on 7th August.
Ofsted found safeguarding procedures and staff understanding had since been strengthened, including arrangements for raising concerns and managing allegations.
Risk assessments had improved and safer eating arrangements were introduced to reduce choking risks. Safe-sleep procedures were also improved, including regular monitoring of the sleeping environment.
Targeted training, guidance and professional development had also been introduced to improve staff understanding of caring for babies.
Ofsted has confirmed it is satisfied the provider has met the safeguarding and welfare actions raised.
The Island Day Nursery remains registered with Ofsted.
