Oscar Bears Nursery remains open despite plan for flats

Oscar Bears Nursery, in Blackburn Road, Accrington, was rated ‘inadequate’ following an inspection on March 28, and ordered to close until improvements had been made.

Earlier this week, it was revealed a planning application was submitted to convert the building into 24 apartments, implying that the site is closing.

Despite this, Ofsted has confirmed that the nursery’s registration remains active and the setting is open.

Oscar Bears was contacted for comment about whether the site was closing in the future but did not respond to the request.

In the report published last month by Ofsted, inspectors said children are not kept safe and leaders ‘lack sufficient oversight of the nursery’ and ‘do not ensure staff who look after children are suitable to do so’.

The report said some staff are working directly with children despite not having disclosure and barring service checks, with one of the staff members without a DBS having been left unsupervised with children.

Inspectors also said leaders fail to understand staff-to-child ratios and provide staff with the training they need.

The report said: “For instance, staff who are required to hold a paediatric first-aid certificate in order to be included in ratios, do not have it.

“Furthermore, the only member of staff who holds a first-aid certificate is not always on the premises when children are present.

“This significantly comprises the safety and well-being of children.”

The report said staff fail to nurture children’s individual needs, feelings and development, and toddlers had their nappies changed within full sight of other children, adults and visitors.

At the same time, children eat snacks next to the changing mat as a nappy is being changed.

Progress across areas of learning is ‘weak’ despite a vision by the deputy manager.

The report said: “The deputy manager intends for children to learn about books.

“However, when staff share books, they fail to engage all children in the activity.

“Children who need additional help are not supported to join in.

“This means the curriculum does not provide all children with the rich learning opportunities they need to prepare them for the next stage in their education.”

Children’s behaviour and attitudes to their learning were described as ‘poor’, pushing one another out of the way.

Children were kicking one another under the table which some staff failed to notice.

Parents raised concerns about the turnover of staff which they believe has affected their children’s good development.

Meanwhile, parents who have children with special educational needs or disabilities do not feel enough has been done to support them.

The arrangements for safeguarding were also described as not being effective.

Since the report, the nursery was ordered to close but after a follow-up visit from inspectors showing improvements, the nursery re-opened.

Now, a planning application has been submitted to change the use of the facility – implying that the nursery will be closing.

Oscar Bears Nursery has also been contacted for comment about the report.