A BASINGSTOKE pre-school has been told the children in its care are not safe after one child was left to wander outside a play area on their own.

Ladybirds Pre-School, based in Hill Rise Hall, Bach Close, Brighton Hill, was graded “inadequate” by Ofsted following an inspection on June 12, when the inspector witnessed the incident.

In a report published this month, inspector Melissa Cox said: “Children are not kept safe in the pre-school as staff are not vigilant enough when supervising them, especially in the outdoor area, which is located next to a busy road.

“As a result, on the day of the inspection, a child left the outdoor play space without adult supervision for a short period of time.”

She said children were at risk because staff were unable to monitor the three unsecured exits outside in the public park owned by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The report said the manager was aware of the safety issues, but had “done too little to minimise the risk.”

It added that the manager had contacted the council about putting locks on the gates, but failed to ensure children’s safety in the meantime or secure any of the exits whilst children played in the park area.

The report said the manager’s attitude “demonstrates that she has a poor regard to addressing the safety of the park as a matter of urgency. This is a breach of legal requirements.”

The pre-school, which has 28 children aged between two and five-years on roll, was issued with a Welfare Requirement Notice to secure the premises and ensure strangers are not able to enter.

The notice also asked the pre-school to promote equality of opportunity for children, after the inspector identified that support for children with additional needs is poor.

The report was also critical of other aspects of the pre-school, and said activities were not challenging enough, resulting in children becoming bored and occasionally disruptive.

It said incidents of poor behaviour go unchallenged by staff. Referring to break times, the report said there was no “clear rota” for giving children snacks, resulting in some missing out when they are hungry, or becoming “fretful while waiting for their turn.”

The inspector said the pre-school’s strengths were the range of technology available for children to use.

She added: “Children build suitable levels of independence.”

When The Gazette visited Ladybirds to speak to parents and staff, the park exits were still unsecure.

Jayne Anderson, deputy manager, said the borough council had agreed to fit bolts. She added: “First and foremost, our main concern is the safety and welfare of the children.”

Nicola Jeffery, a mother-of-four, who has a four-year-old son at the pre-school, said she had no concerns about the pre-school being unsafe. The 30-year-old, from Dankworth Road, added: “They look after the children. The report was confusing.”

Tim Boschi, head of community services at the borough council, said: “Ladybird Pre-School wishes to put a simple latch on two of the gates which face in the direction of the road as an additional safety feature.

“The council is happy to facilitate this, funded by the pre-school, knowing that this is not a lockable feature and that there is, in any case, another entrance which anyone can use.”