Nursery chiefs vow to make the grade after 'requires improvement' Ofsted

Amber’s Attic Day Nursery in Stand Lane, Radcliffe, was downgraded from “good” following an inspection by education watchdogs Ofsted in November.

A report published earlier this month stated there were inadequacies in the way children’s progress was being tracked and assessed.

But new directors, who took charge of the nursery in October, are positive there will be a rapid improvement under the watch of new staff.

Amber’s Attic had already been subject to an Ofsted inspection in April last year but was required to undergo a second following a complaint.

This came, the new management says, when updated procedures were in the process of being embedded. Inspector Elisia Lee’s report found directors had been “proactive in addressing previous concerns” and “had a clear vision for the future” – suggesting, the document states, a commitment to continued improvement.

The inspection found children looked after at Amber’s Attic were making satisfactory progress, were supported by staff and were kept safe because of good safeguarding procedures.

However, the report stated ways of tracking children’s progress were not consistently employed, some children were not suitably challenged and the nursery’s outdoor area did not adequately promote development.

Abigail Francioli, one of the new directors, said: “The management, in place since October, were well aware of the improvements needed under the new Ofsted frameworks. We had started to implement them prior to the inspection — something clearly recognised within the report.

“A complaint from before the takeover prompted Ofsted to undertake an early inspection, which unfortunately came at a time when the improvements had not been fully embedded.

“However, we are confident the continued training plan and the implementation of the new children’s development tracking systems will ensure a more deserved outcome at our next inspection.”