A children's nursery provider in Devon has been criticised by Ofsted for failing to keep staff first aid training updated and for not managing children's behaviour 'appropriately or effectively'. Apple Blossom Day Nursery Ltd in London Road, Whimple has been rated as 'requires improvement' in all categories it was inspected under.

It was visited on March 26, and at that time had 31 children registered between the ages of 0 to four. The nursery says it is 'surprised and distressed' by the findings and is addressing all the improvements required by Ofsted.

The Ofsted report stated: "The manager has not ensured that at least one member of staff on-site holds valid paediatric first-aid training at all times, as required. However, staff know how to administer appropriate first-aid treatment to children and the manager has now made arrangements for staff to complete the necessary training.

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"The manager and some staff do not manage children's behaviour appropriately or effectively. They do not help children to understand the rules and to learn to recognise and manage their feelings. This impacts the children's personal, social and emotional development."

The manager was said to have been unaware that no staff had held valid first-aid training for several months which is a breach of statutory requirements. Support for children who need extra help with their speech to extend their communication and language development also needed to improve, according to inspectors.

The nursery was commended for things it does well including knowing the children well and assessing their learning and development accurately, staff planning experiences that interest and engage the children, developing a positive attitude to learning, staff being 'welcoming, friendly and playful', and being sensitive to children's care needs.

It was added that parents provided positive feedback about their children's enjoyment of attending the nursery and of the manager and staff's care for the children.

The report said: "Overall, the manager and staff plan and provide a broad and stimulating curriculum for children. Babies and toddlers develop a love of books.

"They hurry over to staff excitedly when staff begin to read and they look at the pictures with fascination. Pre-school children are confident and imaginative, such as pretending to make and serve different flavours of ice-cream."

The nursery says it is addressing the concerns raised by Ofsted and has thanked parents and carers for their support.

Manager Karen Winson said: "We were surprised and distressed to find the result of the report was not as good as we thought it would be. The first aid was an issue, but we had an in-house training day booked for April 6, 2024.

"All staff are qualified in paediatric first aid. Also in the report the inspector has verified that 'staff know how to administer appropriate first-aid to children'.

"We have and are addressing the managing children’s behaviour consistently and effectively with training, at meetings and through discussions at our staff meetings and with our early years consultant. The inspector said in her report that parents provide positive feedback about their children enjoying attending the nursery and of the manager and staff’s care of the children.

"We have discussed some children who we believe need extra help with our early years consultant. Subsequently, a day has been arranged for the consultant to come into the preschool and access the children and provide support and advice.

"We have all been working hard to provide care and education for our children and take the details in the inspection report to heart. We will push to provide the best that we can and thank our parents and carers for their support."

To read the full report, click here.