Children 'not fed enough'

Hill View Pre-School, in Hill View Crescent, has been issued with a notice to improve following a highly critical report by Ofsted inspectors.

As well as failing to meet legal requirements on safeguarding, the pre-school was told it did not meet the individual needs of children in terms of food provided.

Inspector Maxine Coulson said: “Children are not supplied with sufficient food for their needs and some children are left still asking for more, while other children do not eat anything at all due to the limited choices offered.”

Nursery manager Christine Sarney said staff had been surprised by the judgement.

She said: “The children come for three-hour sessions and we would always give them a choice of two things.

“On the day of the inspection we had one little boy who would not eat anything and the inspector said we should have offered something else to him.

“We have taken action and upped it to three items – we have fruit, vegetables and a carbohydrate.”

A total of 46 children attend the pre-school, which is open Mondays to Fridays 8.30am to 11.30am and 12.15pm to 3.15pm.

Mrs Sarney said: “You always get children that would eat all morning if you let them and those that don’t want to eat. It is only a snack we have to offer.”

The pre-school was also told it had to make sure at least one person with a paediatric first aid certificate was on the premises at all times, put in place an effective behaviour management policy, and improve risk assessment records.

Mrs Sarney said a part-time member of staff who held a first aid certificate had been made full-time, and other staff were receiving training.

She added: “The behaviour policy management we had was really just not good enough for Ofsted so we have redone it with the committee, and that’s in place now.”

Parents have been informed of the judgement and invited to spend a session at the pre-school.

She said: “We would like to reassure parents our practice is good.”