A preschool near Bristol has closed its doors for good having been rated as 'inadequate' by Ofsted. Raysfield Pre-school Playgroup at Dodington Parish Hall in Chipping Sodbury was inspected by Ofsted on March 8 this year, with the inspection leaving it with a rating of 'inadequate' in all categories after safeguarding failures were identified.
The preschool, which closed on Friday, July 8, had previously been ranked as 'good' by the education and childcare watchdog, but this time Ofsted found a number of areas of concern. This included staff not following correct safeguarding procedures to inform the local authority or Ofsted when allegations are made against staff, "putting children at significant risk of harm".
Other concerns noted in Ofsted's report included staff members not ensuring that front doors were secured, meaning that at any time during the day anyone could walk in and "access" children without challenge from staff, or children could simply walk out the door unsupervised. The report also mentioned electronic tablets, containing photos of children, and CCTV footage of the children was also being taken home by managers - so anyone outside of the nursery could have had access to images and footage of children, something their parents had not been made aware of.
Read more: Preschool rated as 'inadequate' as staff leave doors unsecure, and breach guidelines around images
A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council told Bristol Live: "The committee governing Raysfield Preschool has taken the decision to close the facility, which meant it closed on July 8. While this is going to be disappointing for some families, the council is writing to the parents and carers of children not beginning school next year to provide details of alternative nursery providers, so that families can continue to claim their free nursery education entitlement in the Autumn term if still required.
"We have also passed on details of Ofsted registered childminders in the area. Families can find out about providers in their area by visiting our website at www.southglos.gov.uk/childcare under ‘Find Childcare’.”
Other findings from Ofsted, found in the full report here, included:
"When outdoors, staff do not notice that children push and fall off plastic crates onto each other until children start to cry. When toddlers hit each other trying to get to the books indoors, staff do not help children to understand what is expected of them."
"Staff in the baby room struggle to meet all children's needs. For instance, they do not notice that children with additional needs lie upside down in the soft-play corner and drink from a bottle. Staff sit with their backs to babies in high chairs who are eating their lunch while they tend to other children. These failures put children at risk of choking."
"Staff do not promote children's good health well enough. For example, they do not change children's nappies on outings to the local soft-play centre. They do not ensure that all toddlers are given a drink with their meal at lunchtime."
When approached for comment, Raysfield Preschool said it will not be commenting on the closure at this stage.
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