A STOURBRIDGE nursery has gone from outstanding to inadequate, according to a scathing new Ofsted report which has slammed its safeguarding policies as "ineffective".

Little Daisies, in Wollaston, was top of the class after an inspection back in August 2016 but - following the latest visit by the watchdog - the nursery's rating has plummeted to inadequate.

Management at the King Street facility have been ordered to make a raft of improvements after scoring inadequate ratings in all categories - which looked at the effectiveness of leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; personal development, behaviour and welfare and outcomes for children.

Bosses, however, say they "do not accept the ratings give a true reflection of the nursery" and they have complained to Ofsted about the damning report which was issued after an inspection on February 7.

Inspector Anne Clift said in her write-up of the visit that children's welfare was compromised and leaders do not ensure all staff understand the safeguarding policy and procedures - and they fail to maintain accurate records of children's hours of attendance.

She also said staff were not deployed effectively to meet the needs of all children - which hinders progress, especially for babies.

The report adds that leaders fail to provide children with special educational needs or disabilities with the same opportunities their peers have which has a "negative impact on the progress that children make and how well they are prepared when starting school".

The inspector added that leaders do not ensure all staff receive effective supervision, support and coaching which has a "negative impact on the continuous improvement of the nursery and the care and learning that children receive".

She also said staff fail to meet the individual needs of all children and do not keep all parents informed of their child's learning.

Staff do not plan activities that consistently target children's individual needs and interests, the report adds, and "this significantly hinders the progress that children make".

The inspector did note, however, that staff do provide children with a range of enjoyable opportunities that support their literacy skills and mathematical understanding.

When contacted by the News, the nursery issued a statement saying: “We are extremely disappointed with the inspection report and have raised a formal complaint with Ofsted.

"We are also extremely concerned that the report contains factual inaccuracies and as a result draws inappropriate conclusions, we have given a detailed response to Ofsted highlighting these issues.

"Overall, we do not accept that the ratings give a true reflection of the nursery.

"We have noted and agreed an action plan to address how we record and manage training in relation to safeguarding but do not accept that the welfare or safety of any of the children in our care was compromised at any time.

"We are talking with all our parents throughout this process and appreciate their continued support.”

Ketrina Hill, the owner and director of Little Daisies, is also responsible for Daisy Chain day nursery in Norton which made headlines when it went from outstanding to inadequate in 2013. The nursery in Kempton Way later reclaimed its outstanding rating when it was reinspected in 2014.

A spokesman from London PR agency Chelgate, speaking on behalf of Little Daisies, confirmed Mrs Hill as the owner of the King Street nursery but said she was not involved in its day to day management.

To read the Ofsted report for Little Daisies in full go to https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY488978.