Child safeguarding concerns over Bradford nursery - inspectors

Inspectors have found "significant weaknesses" in child safeguarding at a nursery in Bradford.

Cherrytree Children's Day Nursery, where a total of 43 children aged up to four years old attend, was rated "inadequate" in all areas following an Ofsted inspection in November.

According to a report by inspectors, the provider "does not ensure that children are kept safe and protected".

The BBC has contacted the nursery's management for comment.

Multiple safeguarding failures were observed when inspectors visited the site in Menston, according to the Ofsted report.

Staff were "left unsupervised with children before all background checks, such as references, are completed", inspectors found.

Children were also not "adequately" supervised during mealtimes, compromising their safety.

"During the inspection, a toddler fell from their chair and older children poked the knives they have been using for eating at each other," the report added.

Despite the "significant weaknesses", parents said "they appreciate the care and support from staff which their children enjoy", Ofsted said.

The nursery, which employs nine members of staff, was previously rated "good" following its previous inspection in May 2019.

But after re-visiting, inspectors said children at the nursery "lack stimulation and motivation to learn".

"As a result, they often wander with little focus, and some children demonstrate unwanted behaviour," their report said.

The nursery was classed as "inadequate" by Ofsted for the quality of education on offer; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; and leadership and management.

The provider, the Jonathan Roe and Kate Roe Partnership, was said to have a "poor understanding" of its responsibilities.

Inspectors concluded: "Lack of oversight from the provider means that weaknesses in practice are not identified, or decisive action taken to address them."

Ofsted said it would take "enforcement action" following the inadequate rating.

It added it would issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to make changes to how the nursery was run.

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