A NURSERY in Shipley has been slammed for its “chaotic environment” and unclean eating areas following its recent Ofsted inspection, after which it was branded inadequate.

Little Ducklings Creche, based at Windhill Community Centre in Church Street, Windhill, had previously been rated Good by Ofsted ahead of the recent inspection.

It was rated inadequate in all areas by Ofsted, and ordered to quickly address a number of serious issues.

North East Windhill Community Association, which runs Little Ducklings Creche, said it was “disappointed” by the inspector’s findings in the report and has begun work addressing the issues raised.

In its report, Ofsted said: “Management and staff do not remain vigilant and aware of children’s behaviour.

“They do not consistently manage disorderly behaviour, as children become less focused during play.

“This disrupts children’s learning as they become distracted by the chaotic environment. Children are not as well prepared for their next stages of learning as they could be.

“Management do not ensure risk assessments are implemented in to practice.

“Children are at significant risk as staff do not fully consider or respond to risks and hazards in the indoor and outdoor play areas.

“Management do not ensure sensitive information about a child is stored securely.

“They display detailed information about children’s medical and health needs in the main play area where visitors and parents can easily view this information.

“Children’s health and wellbeing is at significant risk as staff do not ensure areas where children eat their meals are cleaned well enough to stop the spread of infection.

“Although management have implemented a system to monitor staff performance, these do not focus precisely enough on staff practice to ensure interactions between staff and children, and the quality of teaching and learning, is consistently good.”

One strength noted by Ofsted was the relationship between parents and staff, and the sharing of key information about children’s learning.

Gianfranco Sabelli, chair of the board of trustees at North East Windhill Community Association, said: “Overall we are disappointed with the inspector’s findings.

“We feel it doesn’t reflect what we offer to children and families who attend the nursery on a daily basis.

“We have already started to implement the inspector’s recommendations, to regain our previous rating of ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ in areas.”

The nursery cares for 35 children aged two to four-years-old, and has nine members of childcare staff, seven of whom hold early years qualifications at Level 2 or higher, and was registered in 2013.