Luton nursery slammed by Ofsted for failing to give children good quality early education and handed Inadequate rating

The education watchdog has this week published its report on Angel Kidz Nursery & Preschool Limited following a visit in October.

The report stated: “The provider has failed to make sufficient improvements to the quality of care and education since the last inspection. As a result, children do not receive a good quality early education to which they are entitled.”

The nursery, in Cheapside, Luton, also “failed to meet all the safeguarding and welfare requirements, including the welfare requirements notice served previously”.

Angel Kidz Nursery & Preschool did not respond to Luton News’ request for comment.

After the visit last month, Ofsted inspector, Elke Rockey, said: “Staff do not understand how to support children's learning effectively. Their interactions with the children are minimal.”

Tasks were “too easy for children” and did not challenge them to build on what they already knew.

Despite this, children settle quickly into the setting and staff greet them warmly with smiles.

The report read: “Staff sing rhymes with the children. Older children demonstrate their concentration skills during larger group times. Children generally behave well. Staff speak calmly to remind them not to throw toys.”

At the previous visit in November 2023, the nursery was given a ‘Requires Improvement’ rating, which has now dropped to Ofsted’s lowest rating.

The inspector said: “The provider has failed to consistently meet requirements since registration. While some improvement has been made, this is not sufficient to ensure the legal requirements of the registration are met.”

Parents of children at the nursery get information through an online learning journal, and staff tell them about their child’s day.

The report read: “Children have some opportunities to learn how to keep themselves safe. Staff encourage them to hold on to the handrail when walking up and down the stairs.

“Children enjoy short walks around the local area. Staff use these opportunities to teach children to stay within the group and supervise them closely.”

In September, a safeguarding complaint was made against the nursery and Ofsted inspectors served a welfare requirements notice to take action to remedy this.

While staff know how to report concerns about safeguarding, the report stated that “they do not have a secure knowledge of the potential indicators of radicalisation and extremism”.

The inspector said: “The provider failed to ensure that all accidents involving children in their care are recorded. This is despite a welfare requirement notice being served about keeping a record of accidents after a recent incident. Failure to keep accurate records means that children's health needs are not met.”

Management’s reflection discussions are “not sufficiently focused on teaching skills and knowledge”, which Ofsted said means “staff do not offer children a good-quality learning experience”.

The nursery has been told to ensure that staff are clear about the curriculum's intent and how to use it effectively to challenge children to make good progress, and to give children language-rich experiences to build on their communication and thinking skills.