MANAGERS at an out of school club say they are “very disappointed” after being criticised by Ofsted inspectors.

Radcliffe Out of School Club, based at Radcliffe Primary School in Coronation Road, was rated as ‘inadequate’ in all three key aspects of a report published last week after an inspection in June.

The report said that the club does not meet legal requirements for early years settings and compromised children’s safety, though club organisers have since raised concerns with the education watchdog over "inaccuracies" contained in the report.

A spokesman for the club’s management committee said: “The Out of School Club is very disappointed with its Ofsted report, however, the club feels that there are a number of inaccuracies and assumptions within the report.

“We have raised these issues with Ofsted and await their response. The actions requested in the Ofsted report have been completed and implemented.”

The club, which runs before and after school, provides childcare for up to 48 children aged between three and 11.

It was rated 'good' in its previous inspection in 2012 and employs seven members of staff.

In the report, inspector Vickie Halliwell said: “Staff, including the designated person, have a poor knowledge of how to respond to child protection concerns and implement appropriate procedures, such as making referrals to relevant agencies. Consequently, children are not adequately safeguarded.

“Poor risk assessment and weaknesses in staff practice, regarding the storage of staff handbags and mobile phones, means children's safety is compromised.

“Too little regard is given to the importance of a healthy diet and the weaknesses in organisation result in children unable to rest or relax in comfort.

“Systems to monitor the quality of the provision, including staff practice, are not effective. As a result, professional development opportunities for staff are limited and too little is done to improve the quality of care and learning at the club.”

Highlighting the club’s strengths, the report added: “Children and parents are warmly welcomed into a relaxed and friendly club. Children are suitability occupied and play happily with the toys provided.”

The reports set out a number of requirements the club must meet in order to improve, including implementing a written record of procedures to be followed for the protection of children and training staff to safeguard children from abuse or neglect.