Oldham nursery deemed ‘good’ 8 weeks after ‘inadequate’ Ofsted

The watchdog praised A-Star Kids in Glodwick for its quick improvement, saying ‘children arrive happily’; have ‘loving bonds with staff’; and engage with an ‘aspirational curriculum’ at the nursery.

It is a complete turnaround from an inspection in March, which said the nursery ‘compromised children’s safety’ and left kids ‘unsettled’ and ‘wandering around aimlessly’.

Nursery leader Neelam Farooq said that she had been hit by a ‘perfect storm’ during her first inspection. An issue with a former member of staff caused further problems, she claimed.

An unannounced inspection from Ofsted – and another from environmental health – in March fell the same day the facility was short staffed due to illness.

The first inspector, Joanne Buckley, said there was ‘poor arrangement of staff’ and parents didn’t know which workers were responsible for their child. She said children were ‘not accessing a good quality of education’.

Her report also highlighted loose wires and a faulty fridge. The nursery was later reinspected in June. 

Inspector Rebecca Weston said the nursery, which caters for 59 kids aged between two and four, had improved in all areas.

Another Ofsted report said that in the eight weeks between inspections, the nursery had resolved staffing problems, with children ‘establishing loving bonds with staff’, who ‘support’ and ‘engage’ them.

Managers ‘ensure a safe environment for children’ and  ‘have increased the oversight of food hygiene’, it was said.

The watchdog also praised the ‘forest school’-inspired curriculum and the range of cultural and extra-curricular activities on offer.

Ms Neelam added: “Senior bosses visiting us, restored our faith and trust in Ofsted greatly. My team and I had to dig really deep, it was tough. This is one of the toughest things I’ve ever done in my life.

“It’s a shame we have to have inadequate on your record. But it’s a reminder of what happened and how we gained strength through adversity.”