Ofsted inspectors visited the Plymouth setting in May and found the ‘team were unable to work together successfully to protect children from potential harm’.
The inspection was triggered by an incident at the 83-place nursery in February when two children escaped and were reportedly found by police wandering unsupervised near a dual carriageway.
Following this, Busy Bees Childcare launched an investigation into the nursery, which was previously rated outstanding, and notified Ofsted.
Ofsted inspection findings
The Ofsted report states that the ‘manager does not ensure all staff have a good understanding of safeguarding procedures.’
However it acknowledges that at the time, a new manager had recently been appointed. There had also been a ‘large’ number of staff changes in a ‘very short period of time’.
It goes on to say, ‘Some staff lack knowledge of how to recognise if a child is at risk of harm.’ Also, that staff do not share concerns about children to those with lead safeguarding responsibilities.
Consequently, ‘the team are unable to work together successfully to protect children from potential harm.’
The Ofsted inspector also found:
- some pre-school children who had joined the nursery at the time of the pandemic were not allocated a key person. Staff did not know much about these children and focused on those they knew better. This resulted in some children doing nothing for long periods because staff do not help them to become involved in activities or interact with others, says the report.
- Staff do not implement plans for children who ned additional support. The report says that those with delayed development and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are at ‘risk of falling further behind in their development.’
- Some parents knew very little about their children’s experiences at the nursery or their progress.
Busy Bees statement
Busy Bees Childcare apologised to parents for ‘falling below the standards they deserve’ and said it has implemented an action plan to improve the nursery.
A spokesperson for the nursery group said, ‘Whilst disappointed with this outcome we accept it and commit to addressing the points raised in Ofsted’s report. We strive to deliver only outstanding childcare at Busy Bees and are working hard at Plymouth nursery to provide that for parents and children.
‘Already many of the points within the report have been acted upon and resolved. All children have an allocated key person and much of the training we have carried out has reinforced our safeguarding practices.
‘An incident in February this year caused us to look very closely at what we provide at our nursery. Since that time, we have changed many things.’
Operations director for Busy Bees, Anita Wilden, added, ‘Although we have only just received the Ofsted report, much has already been done and more improvements will be put in place in the coming weeks however, we accept there is still a way to go. The inspectors did recognise areas of good practice during their visit and they acknowledge the new team needs time to bed in. I strongly believe the outcome of this inspection is not a reflection of the current staff team.
‘We are confident that the next time Ofsted visit there will be a very different outcome.’