A nursery has been  told it is  in need of improvement although inspectors found children are happy and safe in the 'welcoming environment'

Ofsted visited Little Feet Day Nursery in  Breightmet and found it requires improvement.

The nursery manager told The  Bolton  News improvements were already being made.

Inspector Luke Heaney from the education watchdog visited the nursery.

Ofsted considers the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

The report said: “In the main, children are happy and safe at this welcoming nursery. They leave their parents with ease and are eager to greet staff.

“However, the key-person system is not as robust as it could be for younger children. For example, some younger children take a long time to settle when their key persons are not present.

READ MORE: Mum and daughter open nursery in Breightmet

“Although staff are caring and loving towards children, leaders have not established effective systems for younger children to feel emotionally secure in the care of other staff.”

Inspector Heaney says that some children do not show positive attitudes to their learning as activities are not always matched to their interests.

He also noted that some toddlers often become disengaged, and babies struggle as activated are of a too high level from them.

He added: “Although there are gaps in the curriculum, children make satisfactory progress and develop the necessary skills in readiness for school.

READ MORE: Ofsted rates Beechwood Nursery in Bromley Cross 'inadequate'

“They are confident communicators and were eager to show the inspector construction models that they made out of wooden building blocks.”

The report acknowledges the nursery’s aspirations to be good and recognised that they are aware of what needs to be done to achieve this.

Inspector Heaney added: “A newly introduced curriculum has yet to take full effect across the nursery.

“Leaders have not been clear enough to staff about what they intend children to learn. Some activities are not pitched at the correct level and are not developmentally appropriate for some children.”

READ MORE: Ofsted rates Tiny Tots Nursery in Great Lever 'inadequate'

In 2018, Little Feet was inspected twice. After Ofsted said it required improvement in April of that year, it was visited the following October and found to be “good”.

Manager Sarah Hine is looking to emulate that turnaround and says that they have taken the report’s advice on board, and they are working to improve the provision.

She added: “We have created a new curriculum that will be implemented soon.

“Staff are attending training on the new curriculum.”

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18.