A PRE-SCHOOL has been rated as ‘inadequate’ by the education watchdog after a recent inspection.

Old Basing Pre-School, in The Street, Old Basing was previously told it ‘requires improvement’ by Ofsted in its previous report in March 2017.

However, after the most recent inspection on October 17, it was marked as ‘inadequate’ in all four inspection categories of effectiveness of the leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; personal development, behaviour and welfare; and outcomes for children.

The report states that management is not effective and adds: “Safeguarding is not effective. The provider, who is also the manager, does not assure all staff ’s suitability through secure robust recruitment procedures, including disclosure and barring service checks . On occasions, unchecked staff are left on their own with children for short periods of times.”

Quality of teaching was deemed by in s pectors to be “weak” and teachers were said to over direct activities , such as arts and crafts , meaning children’s expression and creativity is limited.

The report adds that safeguarding welfare was an issue at the pre-school, a lack of suitable checks of staff put children at risk and “staff compromise children’s good health at snack time , as they offer some children snack options , which parents have specifically requested their children avoid.”

However, the report does say that staff are kind and caring in their approach and they tend to the children’s care needs and offer reassurances to the children if they become upset.

The pre-school was give n some advice on ho w to improve which included “implement effective recruitment systems to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children… record and act on information from parents and carers about children’s dietary needs… plan challenging and enjoyable experiences that engage children and help them to mak e good progress in their learning.”

The report added parents of pupils were very positive.

Old Basing Pre-School did not respond to The Gazette's request for a comment.