Tots need better guidance at ‘chaotic’ Eltham nursery, watchdog says
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
A nursery in Eltham has been told to improve after being described as ‘chaotic’ by Ofsted, with toddlers left feeling ‘frustrated’, the education watchdog has said in a report.
The Owl and Bear Daycare nursery in Southend Crescent was rated as ‘requires improvement’ in all areas, including the quality of education provided and its overall management.
The inspector said the quality of staff’s interactions with children was variable and their needs were not always met. They added that staff’s interventions to stop unwanted behaviour were inconsistent and not fully understood by children.
The report said: “Staff are redeployed to support rooms where they are unfamiliar with the routines and children. At times, rooms become noisy and chaotic, which impacts on children’s ability to learn.”
The day care was praised for having dedicated play areas and activities for every age group. However, the inspector said in their report that these spaces were not always fully accessible to children, with some leaving the activities before completing their learning.
The inspector said in their report: “Staff place tables containing interesting activities against walls, which limits the number of children who can access them. This restricts children’s learning, leaving them jostling for position and feeling frustrated.”
The nursery was previously rated ‘Inadequate’ by Ofsted in a report published last December after babies’ bedding was found laid out on a dirty floor. However, the recent investigation found that leaders had made progress in addressing areas of significant weakness in the last report.
The report said: “Staff are kind and model the behaviour they expect of the children they care for. They greet children warmly on arrival and offer affection when children are upset or need a cuddle. This helps children to settle well into their day.”
The nursery has space for 100 children and had 48 enrolled at the time of the inspection.
Owl and Bear Daycare has been approached for comment.
Pictured top: Owl and Bear Daycare in Eltham in Southend Crescent (Picture: Google Street View)