Oldham College Butterflies nursery told to improve by Ofsted

The nursery cares for children aged six months and five years old whose parents are studying at the college.

A report made following an inspection of the nursery rated its overall effectiveness as ‘requires improvement’.

However, the report was largely positive and praised the nursery in a number of areas, such as the support provided to families who need it, such as free books and children’s clothes. 

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The report also said that the children behave well in the setting, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well and that staff promote children’s sense of belonging. 

However, the report said there are ‘inconsistencies’ in the leaders and staff regarding how to promote safe sleeping arrangements.

The report said: “The setting seeks and listens to the views of parents on children’s sleeping arrangements.

“Staff understand many sleep-safe issues, and they diligently check sleeping babies.

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“However, the setting does not give enough priority to helping parents understand when other sleeping arrangements may be better for their children, and that they are consistently in line with the latest government safety guidance.”

The report also said that the leadership support their staff’s well-being ‘exceptionally well’ and that staff are happy at the nursery.

However, Ofsted also said the leaders do not set clear targets for staff to improve teaching, which means not all staff are confident in delivering the curriculum. 

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The report praised staff’s effectiveness in supporting children’s literacy and said children foster a love of reading because of it.

Another highlight in the report focused on the activities children participate in and said that they support their understanding of the world and their physical development.

Ofsted said that parents are happy at the setting and speak highly of the staff.

Claire Johnson, Butterflies’ childcare development manager, said: “We are incredibly proud of our nursery provision.

“The inspector recognised several key strengths, such as that our long-term staff are dedicated to their roles, and take part in regular training to keep their knowledge relevant.

“Our parents are happy with our setting and families return with siblings due to the trust that they have in the team.

“As noted in the report, we have an open and positive culture around safeguarding and put our children’s interests first.

“We take on board the inspector’s recommendation and will action this immediately.”

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The report finished that in order to improve the rating, the nursery must ensure information is shared with parents so that all agreed sleeping arrangements are best suited to the age, size and needs of children. 

The arrangements and information must also be consistent with the latest government guidance.

The nursery was inspected on January 17 and the report was made publicly available on April 22.