News / Nurseries
Nursery teaching children about six-sided square rated ‘inadequate’
A Bristol nursery where staff teach young children that a square has six sides has been judged as “inadequate” by inspectors.
Ofsted gave Honey Tots Day Nursery – a “private Christian school” on Stokes Croft owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God – the lowest rating in all categories following an inspection.
The report on the nursery said: “Leaders do not provide staff with the support and training they need to understand the subject knowledge they need to teach, and to be able to teach children in a way that is engaging, interesting and challenging.
“For example, they use flash cards and make children repeat the names of shapes and numbers, which does not engage or interest the children.
“In addition to this, staff confuse two- and three-dimensional shapes by teaching the children that a pyramid is a triangle and a cube is a square.
“Staff then encourage children to count the faces of the cube and tell them that a square has six sides.”
Honey Tots Day Nursery’s story, sensory and music corner in a photo on their Facebook page from 2017 – photo: Honey Tots Day Nursey
The report said employees at the nursery almost opposite Pieminister did not manage children’s behaviour positively to help them learn about expectations, to be kind, to share and respect each other.
It said: “Staff shout and clap their hands loudly to make sure children are listening, and staff remove toys from children’s hands without warning as children are trying to play when staff want their attention.
“As a result, children copy this behaviour as they snatch toys from each other and shout to get attention.
“Not enough is being done to ensure that staff have the training and skills they need to deliver a curriculum that provides challenge and meets the children’s needs.
“Children are often unengaged in play. For instance, staff make children take part in activities that are not inspiring or appropriate to their needs, and as a result, children do not express an interest in learning.
“Despite children showing little interest in the activities provided, staff continue to make them listen.”
The report said employees did not ensure that youngsters could make their own decisions in play.
It said: “Babies and younger toddlers can explore and make their own choices. However, due to the poor deployment of staff, they do not receive the interactions they need as staff are too busy trying to comfort other children and cannot give them the attention that they need.
“Older toddlers and pre-school children do not have opportunities to lead their own play.
“Due to these significant weaknesses, children do not make good progress and are not well prepared for their future education, including school.”
Honey Tots Day Nursery is owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, whose vision “is to see God through Christ deliver individuals from the bondage of sin and disciple them into faithful followers of Christ” – photo: Martin Booth
The report by Victoria Nicolson said a newly appointed manager started in the week of her inspection in April and had not yet had a chance to make a difference.
“Children know the routines well and understand good hygiene practices,” the report said.
“They confidently line up to wash their hands before meals and demonstrate independence at managing some tasks such as pouring themselves drinks, feeding themselves, and putting their coats and shoes on to go outside to play.
“The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children’s interests first.
“Staff are very kind and caring as they try to make sure that children feel safe and settled. Babies clearly have good relationships with the adults caring for them.”
The nursery, which registered in 2010, employs six members of staff. There were 41 children on roll at the time of the visit out of the maximum 60 places. It has been contacted for comment.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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