A Chadderton nursery has been criticised in a scathing Ofsted report, with staff potentially missing signs of abuse and neglect.

Play Alma Mater, on Long Lane, was previously rated ‘good’ in all areas when it was last inspected in 2019.

However, a new report published yesterday (June 29) has given the day nursery, which has 60 children on its roll, the worst possible rating of ‘inadequate’ in all areas.

The report, compiled by Ofsted inspector Luke Heaney, says nursery leaders have been ‘too lax’ in ensuring legal compliance, with standards said to have declined since the last inspection.

Some staff were criticised for expecting babies to be able to write their own names, and to have a detailed understanding of the monarchy.

Staff at the nursery were also said to be unaware of indicators of possible abuse and neglect, and unclear about what to do if they had concerns about a colleague, with children said to be put at risk.

Children were found to be left in rooms without adults present, leaving them upset and behaving unsafely.

Additionally, the inspector found an incident of an unattended child leaving the nursery, which is located less than 500ft from the busy A663 Broadway, as well as being close to the M60.

However, the nursery had met legal obligations to report this incident in the proper manner and was said to have taken steps to prevent this from happening again.

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The report said staff at the nursery are unsure of what to teach and in what order it should be done, with children said to ‘lose interest in their learning and become bored’.

Children with special educational needs and disabilities were said to not make the progress they are capable of, leaving them without the necessary skills for their move to school.

Nursery leadership was told it was too complacent, with the quality of care allowed to slip. Ofsted identified ‘many breaches’ in legal requirements alongside ‘inaccurate’ self-evaluation.

However, leaders were said to now be aware of what they need to do to raise standards.

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Children’s emotional well-being at the nursery was said to be poor.

Nursery leaders were criticised for not equipping staff with the skills and knowledge to support children in managing feelings and emotions, meaning some children find it hard to regulate their feelings and behaviour.

Ofsted gave the nursery a list of requirements to meet in order to improve.

The nursery was told to ensure that staff are aware of abuse and neglect indicators, ensure that leaders deploy staff to meet the needs of all children, ensure that staff supervise children with vigilance at all times, ensure that staff provide children with an ambitious curriculum that builds on what they already know, and to ensure that the ‘key-person’ system supports children’s individual care, learning and emotional needs.

Play Alma Mater’s owner Pamela Gordon said: “We are currently working with early years and we encourage anyone who would like to discuss the report to please get in touch with the nursery.”

Cllr Shaid Mushtaq, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “After being made aware of the recent Inadequate Ofsted report at Play Alma Mater, we are now working closely with this childcare provider to ensure the highest levels of care are being delivered.

“An action plan will be agreed upon to ensure that any children that are being looked after are in a safe, nurturing environment.

“We will continue to work with closely with the provider, keeping in regular contact with them as part of the agreed plan.”

This story was updated with a statement from Cllr Shaid Mushtaq at 11.40am on June 30.