A nursery with “inconsistencies in teaching” says it is already taking steps to improve, after a tough Ofsted report.

Daybreak Nurseries, in Shepherd’s Lane, Rickmansworth, was rated ‘requires improvement’ in a report published on Monday (January 23).

At its last inspection in March 2017, Daybreak was rated ‘good’.

Watford Observer: The nursery is located behind Shepherd Primary SchoolThe nursery is located behind Shepherd Primary School (Image: Google Street View)

According to the report, the nursery has undergone a lot of changes recently which have been well managed - but staff are not always properly supported to help them develop.

“This has an impact on the quality of teaching,” inspectors said.

Using an example from during the inspection, on December 19, the report said: “Staff provide children with resources to complete winter wonderland pictures, following the recent snowfall.

“The activity is overly directed by staff, who overlook ways to encourage children to develop their own ideas and imaginative skills.”

It said children’s development is tracked and staff are knowledgeable about the next steps in their learning but added that this is not consistent for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

While “disappointed” Sinead Johnson from All About Children, the group the nursery belongs to, said it had already recognised the need to improve. She explained that appropriate steps had already been taken to ensure support children with SEND.

“Despite the grading, there were many positives for us to take from the Report,” she said.

Inspectors found that “despite weaknesses” children are happy and confident in the nursery.

Ofsted also found that arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The group's COO added: “We will continue to work closely on areas such as staff’s training and development as we implement our development plan, to give us a firm foundation towards achieving the necessary improvements ahead of our next Ofsted inspection.”

There are three points for the nursery to improve on by March 31 including focussing on improving staff's teaching skills, ensuring they are clear on the curriculum’s intent and how to implement it, and gathering “sufficient information” on development to close gaps in learning for children with SEND.

Daybreak Nurseries has two locations in Rickmansworth, the other is in the High Street and is rated 'good'.