Learning activities at a Harlow nursery are “not appropriate” for young childrens’ level of understanding, an education watchdog has said.

Blossoms Nursery in Harlow dropped from the second highest rating of ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’ after an inspection on December 21, 2021.

The nursery says it strives to give the best level of care and has used comments from the inspection to build on its professional practice.

According to an Ofsted report, staff were expecting children to understand and follow complex instructions and would ask questions beyond their understanding.

As a result, children became distracted and disinterested, which had a negative impact on their learning, the report continues.

A spokesperson for Blossoms Nursery said in a statement: “Blossoms takes educational views seriously, and we have used the inspectors comments to reflect and build upon our professional practice. 

“The staff, managers, and owners strive to give the best level of care and will continue to do so.”

The inspection found that children felt safe at the nursery, and that older children enjoyed conversing with staff.

But for younger years, it said the education children were receiving was “variable” and that learning was often incidental, not purposeful.

A section reads: “Staff organise adult-led group activities that are not appropriate for younger children’s current level of understanding. 

“For example, staff expect children to understand and follow complex instructions. Younger children are also left to wait for long periods of time while staff set out an activity. 

“Children become distracted and move away or just sit looking around the room. This has a negative impact on their learning experiences.”

The report also said there was not an effective two-way flow of information with parents about how they can support children at home. 

A lack of effective evaluation and monitoring of the curriculum meant school leaders failed to identify the staff who needed extra support and training, the report continues.

The nursery received a rating of ‘requires improvement’ in four categories, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and overall.

Its last inspection was in January 2017, where it received a ‘good’ rating in the four categories and overall.

Ofsted have recommended Blossoms Nursery better plan its curriculum to provide a higher quality education, arrange more effective staff supervision and better communicate with parents.