A formerly ‘outstanding’ nursery has been ordered to improve by Ofsted.

Future Champions Nursery, at Stocks House, on Chorley Old Road, Horwich, was handed down the rating in a new report published on Friday, October 4, based on an inspection undertaken in September.

When last inspected in 2019, the nursery – which has 140 children on roll – received the highest grade of ‘outstanding’ in all areas, for the effectiveness of leadership, quality of teaching, personal development and welfare, and outcomes for children.

Now, however, it has been told it ‘requires improvement’ in all areas.

In her report, Ofsted inspector Amy Johnson blames ‘recent changes in leadership’ for the change in rating – with inconsistent staff supervision meaning staff are ‘not consistently well supported’, affecting quality of practice.

The inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment, following information Ofsted received about the provider.

The report says potential risks to children are not always identified on risk assessments – however, medication administration procedures had been strengthened ‘considerably’ after an incident where a child was given the wrong medication, the report says.

The report stated "For example, some parts of the outside area are unsuitable for children to use but are not noted on risk assessments. As children have been adequately supervised in these areas there has been no impact on their safety on this occasion."

Children at the ‘busy nursery’ are described as ‘well behaved’ and are said to form ‘good bonds’ with staff – taking part in activities including baking and singing.

Ofsted reported: "In the main, children enjoy attending the busy nursery and benefit from their time here."

Those attending the nursery are also said to enjoy daily exercise and a ‘large outside area’, where they are able to roll down slopes and scoot on balance bicycles – promoting physical development.

Nursery staff were also praised for helping children develop self-care skills and enabling them to put on their own shoes.

Children are said to eat ‘healthy, home-cooked food’ while learning social skills at the table for meals with friends.

However, younger children were said to be ‘unsettled’ when moving through the nursery’s years as they are not ‘fully prepared’ for the change, hindering the ability of staff to promote learning.

While older children were identified as being confident in communication skills, younger children were said to not have the same opportunities – with the Ofsted inspector saying they would ‘often use dummies during play and activities’ – hindering communication skills.

In its report, Ofsted ordered the nursery to ensure risk assessments ‘accurately identify all potential risks to children in all areas of the nursery’, and to ‘implement consistent arrangements for staff supervision’.

Additionally, the nursery was advised to review arrangements for children to move on to new rooms in the nursery, and to improve the implementation of strategies to promote communication and language skills of younger children.

Future Champions Nursery says it has brought in a new nursery manager to address the issues raised.

Alison Graham, area manager for Bright Stars Nursery Group, said: “Following our Ofsted inspection, we have communicated with our parents a detailed action plan which is underway and has immediately addressed the areas highlighted by the inspector. 

“We have a wonderful new nursery manager who will ensure that we are offering the best care and education to the children in the nursery.

“We were, however, pleased the inspector was able to see our children 'confident in their communication skills' and children benefiting from 'focused interactions with staff'.

“We pride ourselves on focusing our curriculum 'with children’s interests in mind', supporting them to make progress."