A NURSERY in Horwich has received the worst possible grade in a damning inspection.

Horwich Day Nursery was deemed "inadequate", in an inspection by education regulator Ofsted, which took place in February.

Its previous inspection in 2019 yielded a decidedly different outcome, however.

The facility based on Church Street was awarded a rating of "good", the second highest accolade possible.

In the latest report, the education watchdog criticised the nursery in all areas, which include the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

Inspector Shauneen Wainwright described how the experience older children does not match up to the same quality learning experiences as their younger peers.

She said: “Pre-school resources are piled into a corner and roped off, inaccessible to children.

“There are no planned activities or opportunities to play, so children lounge on sofas or cushions and repeatedly watch several films on the television.

“They are consumed with the technology on offer in the room.

“Staff do not consider children's next steps in learning or support these development goals through well-thought-out activities.

“This reflects in preschool children's behaviour. They appear subdued and bored.

“In contrast, babies coo at their key person and giggle as they roll sensory balls back and forth.

“Toddlers explore their environment, keen to play with their friends.”

“However, pre-school children are met with an empty room with nothing to entice their interests.

They quickly gather around their friend's tablets and watch one another play virtual games.

“There is little meaningful interaction between them and their peers.

“As these devices are unchecked by staff, they cannot ascertain whether they are suitable for children to use. This compromises children's safety.”

In order to improve, Inspector Wainwright offered several points for the facility to improve.

She said the nursery needs to “ensure policies and procedures are implemented effectively, particularly with regards to child protection and the safe use of technology".

And with regards to the children’s education, she suggested that it should, “ensure all children access a balanced, well-thought-out curriculum specific to their needs, particularly with regard to pre-school”.