Elephant and Castle nursery rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted jumps two grades in a month

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

A nursery blasted by Ofsted for letting kids shove each other has been praised after an inspector found children’s behaviour had improved. 

Little Bear’s in Castle Square, Southwark, was rated good in all areas following a visit by the education watchdog in September. 

A month earlier, it was rated inadequate across the board by Ofsted. A report published in August, following a visit in March, criticised staff for having low expectations of kids’ behaviour. 

It read: “[A] lack of planning and resources means some children argue over toys, climb onto furniture and shove their friends. […] Overall, not all children are fully motivated to learn, and they do not demonstrate that they are happy or that they feel safe and secure.”

But the most recent report praised kids’ behaviour at the nursery in Elephant and Castle. 

Children used “good manners at mealtimes and play cooperatively with their friends,” according to a report published on October 31. 

Nursery workers were previously criticised for not knowing kids’ names and failing to engage them in activities. But the new report praised staff for making children feel comfortable at the nursery. 

It reads: “Children demonstrate positive social skills. They show that they feel secure and safe. For example, children play peekaboo and interact with unfamiliar adults.

“Pre-school children are encouraged to recall and discuss events. Staff provide opportunities for children to sing rhymes and enjoy music. They share stories and speak with children about what they do. Staff gather key words in children’s home languages and speak with children about important people in their lives.” 

The nursery, which opened in 2019, previously criticised Ofsted for how it conducted the March inspection. Bosses said they were satisfied with the outcome of the most recent visit by the education watchdog. 

Little Bear’s in Elephant Central said: “The inspection was conducted by an inspector who had both extensive early years experience and who is a long-standing Ofsted inspector.

“The inspection was far more rigorous than the prior inspection in March, with sufficient time spent monitoring our children and their interaction with our staff team.

“A full audit was thoroughly conducted including all documentation; process and procedures; exception reporting; safeguarding; recruitment and staff induction; behaviour management; staff supervision, etc. No stone was left unturned. We are delighted that the outcome is a grading, in all aspects, of good.” 

Pictured top: Little Bear’s in Castle Square (Picture: Google Street View)