Ofsted said the nursery’s “well-balanced curriculum” is “not implemented consistently well in practice” – but the nursery plans to challenge the regulator
A nursery in Cambridgeshire has been warned by Ofsted that it “needs attention” in several areas assessed. Staff at Jungle Tots Day Nursery on Coningsby Road, Peterborough, have been praised for creating a “warm and welcoming environment” for children.
The report, published on Thursday, July 16, said “inconsistencies in supporting children’s behaviour and poorly organised routines interrupt learning and limit children’s ability to engage and sustain attention”. It added: “As a result, children do not consistently maintain high levels of engagement during their learning which has as impact on their overall achievement.”
The team at the nursery has submitted a formal complaint to Ofsted regarding both the conclusions reached and aspects of the inspection process, a spokesperson said.
Ofsted deemed that leaders and staff plan a “well-balanced curriculum that includes all areas of learning”. However, inspectors found it is “not implemented consistently well in practice” and children are “expected to sit for long periods, which limits their engagement and affects their ability to sustain attention”.
The nursery received a ‘needs attention’ rating in four out of six areas assessed by the education watchdog. This includes: achievement, behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines, curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance.
The independent, family-run nursery was rated ‘expected standard’ in children’s welfare and wellbeing and inclusion. It has also met safeguarding standards.
The owner of Jungle Tots Day Nursery, Gordon Forster, said that one of his proudest achievements has been “seeing Jungle Tots recognised as one of the Top 20 Day Nurseries in the East of England for four consecutive years”.
Mr Forster said the team “go above and beyond for all our children everyday” and that he has found a “few aspects of this inspection so difficult to accept”. He said he remains “immensely proud” of the nursery.
Part of the report from the inspection on April 16 said: “Routines are not planned well enough to engage children effectively. For example, children wait for long periods during mealtimes. The environment becomes very noisy, making it difficult for children to listen or follow instructions. As a result, some children display unwanted behaviour.”
Inspectors praised leaders and key persons for knowing children well and developing “secure relationships from the outset”. According to the inspection’s findings, children have access to a “wide range of play opportunities that reflects their interests”.
It added: “Staff are enthusiastic in their roles, which positively impacts children’s attitudes to learning.” Ofsted confirmed that leaders recognise areas for improvement and have taken “appropriate initial steps”.
According to Ofsted’s latest data, Jungle Tots Day Nursery caters to children up to four years old, with a total number of 125 places.
Jungle Tots Day Nursery response in full
Mr Forster, owner of Jungle Tots Day Nursery, said in full: “We are an independent, family-run nursery, and we genuinely believe we have created something very special. We have an exceptional team, outstanding purpose-built facilities (we even have air con!) and, most importantly, a warm, nurturing environment where children are happy, safe and able to flourish, reaching their full potential.
“One of my proudest achievements has been seeing Jungle Tots recognised as one of the Top 20 Day Nurseries in the East of England for four consecutive years. The East of England is a huge region, with nearly 1500 nurseries, and what makes this award so meaningful is that it is entirely based on feedback from the parents who know us best. That recognition belongs to every single member of our team, whose passion and commitment make a difference to children every single day.
“It is because I know the dedication of our whole team, who go above and beyond for all our children everyday, that I have found a few aspects of this inspection so difficult to accept. I completely support the role of Ofsted and believe inspections are really important. There were a huge number of positives in every area of the report which we are extremely proud of. However, I do not believe aspects of this report accurately reflect our nursery that our children and families experience every day.
“Our managers all agree, a small number of observations, with exceptional circumstances, were over-extrapolated to make wider judgements about the entire setting that do not provide a balanced representation of the quality of care and education we deliver. We have submitted a formal complaint to Ofsted regarding both the conclusions reached and aspects of the inspection process.
“I remain immensely proud of Jungle Tots, of the incredible team I have the privilege to work alongside, and of the trust so many families place in us. Our focus will continue to be exactly where it has always been: providing outstanding care and education in one of the best nurseries in the county, preparing children for the next stage of their learning, and giving every child who comes through our doors the very best possible start they could get in life.”
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