A South London nursery with a floor so cluttered babies struggled to move around has been blasted by an inspector.

Baytree House Day Nursery in Catford was rated inadequate in all areas following an Ofsted visit in July. 

Babies’ safety was impacted by the mess on the floor, according to a report published on November 3.

An inspector criticised staff for failing to give older kids the chance to improve their vocabulary and engage in meaningful conversation.

The education watchdog said managers appeared unsure about babies’ languages. It said children’s learning was affected as skilled staff were replaced by those with less experience.

The Ofsted report reads: “Babies are held or stay in bouncers for extended periods of time.

"Babies who are eager to move around are hindered by clutter on the floor. This has an impact on their safety. 

“Some children are significantly impacted by changes within the staff team, such as when skilled staff are replaced by those with less experience.

"[…] At times, leaders and key persons are unclear about important information about babies, such as their background and language.

“Older children and confident communicators have few opportunities to build their vocabulary and engage in meaningful, back-and-forth conversation.” 

The report went on to criticise the nursery for failing to give children whose first language isn’t English enough opportunity to hear their mother tongue during play.

The nursery’s “diverse cohort of children and staff” wasn’t reflected in kids’ learning environment, according to the inspector.

The report added: “Leaders do not ensure that all staff implement the nursery’s ‘English as an additional language’ policy to ensure that children have consistent opportunities to see or hear languages that are familiar to them. 

“Most children have few opportunities to recognise their languages and backgrounds as they play.

"The policy is not being used to support children who speak a language other than English at home.”

But the inspector praised the nursery for maintaining good relationships with kids’ parents.

According to the report, parents said their children were happy to attend the nursery.

“Parents receive information about age-appropriate home-learning activities. The use of technology also supports communication with parents about their children’s experience,” the report added.

At its previous inspection in September 2021, Baytree House Day Nursery was rated ‘requires improvement’ by Ofsted.

Baytree House Day Nursery has been contacted.

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