OFSTED has published a damning report after inspectors visited a Worcester nursery and pre-school which has since closed down.

Little Squirrels Early Years and Pre School, in Birchwood Mill, Northwick Close, closed on February 16.

The establishment resigned their registration as an early years education provider following a regulatory visit from Ofsted that picked up a number of issues, including concerns about staff deployment.

However, a new business has now been registered by the same owners under the name Little Squirrels Childcare Limited – but, according to Ofsted’s website, the name and address cannot be published due to it being ‘childcare on domestic premises’.

A complaint was issued about childcare provision in January at the former premises in Northwick, which resulted in an Ofsted visit.

An inspector carried out an unannounced compliance visit on January 29 which found the provider did not meet the legal requirements for risk assessment, training, support and skills, ratio and information for parents.

A welfare requirement notice and set of actions were issued to the provider that they must have implemented by February 18.

These included:

l Implement rigorous risk assessments to ensure that any potential hazards are identified and minimised or removed, to maintain children’s safety at all times.

l Ensure children receive adequate supervision, and staff are deployed effectively and required ratios are consistently met to meet children’s individual care and learning needs and promote their welfare fully.

l Implement effective arrangements for the supervision and monitoring of staff so that support and training is available, and staff are able to fulfil their responsibilities and provide good care and learning experiences for children.

l Maintain an accurate daily record of the names of the children being cared for on the premises, their hours of attendance including the staff in the setting.

Little Squirrels first registered in 2016. Ofsted's report was published on February 20 this year.

Some parents said the sudden closure of the nursery and pre-school left them out of pocket due to paying fees in advance.

The Worcester News was unable to contact Little Squirrels' owners for a comment.

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