A nursery has closed after inspectors ruled that children ‘were not safe’ there.
Little Treasures on Haverfield Road in Spalding closed its doors just before Christmas after the Ofsted report into it was published rating it ‘inadequate’ in all categories.
“Children are not safe, and we have therefore suspended the provider’s registration during the inspection,” said the report by Lora Teague carried out in November. “Children are handled physically in an inappropriate manner by some staff.
“For example, children are pulled by their arms and restrained around their waist while they are visibly distressed.
“When children lay down to go to sleep, some staff throw their dummy at them and do not give them any comfort. This does not support children’s safety and well-being.”
At the time of the inspection Little Treasures had 82 children supervised by nine members of childcare staff.
It was rated ‘outstanding’ across the board in 2016 by Ofsted, but a complaint was raised against the nursery in November 2020 where it was found ‘the provider was not meeting some of the requirements’.
Ofsted visited again in April 2022 and marked it as ‘requires improvement’ in three of the four categories but good in behaviour and attitudes.
The most recent report though continues that “staff do not support children to behave well” accusing staff of not responding to children biting each other and snatching toys.
“Children receive a significantly poor quality of care and education as staff lack the necessary knowledge and skills to support them,” continues the report. “Children struggle to engage in any purposeful play and spend their time wandering the room distressed or seeking out visitors to interact with.
“Staff do not listen as children tell them they need to use the toilet when they play outside. Therefore, children start to undress, ready to urinate outside.
“Children are at risk of eating food they are allergic to, as staff do not know what allergies children have and do not check what ingredients food contains.
“They also do not provide them with water during the day, even when they are coughing.”
Ofsted has confirmed the providers has resigned from the registration so the nursery will remain closed.
