A NURSERY was branded ‘inadequate’ by the education watchdog Ofsted following an inspection earlier this month.

Snowy Owls Nursery School in Haslingden Old Road, Rawtenstall, had previously been rated as ‘requiring improvement’ after it’s previous visit in June 2014.

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The Ofsted report, which was published this week, said that the nursery did not meet its legal requirements.

The effectiveness of the leadership and management at the nursery as well as the contribution of the early years provision to the well being of the children were considered to be inadequate. The early years provision for the range of children who attend was also considered to be inadequate.

Inspector Michelle Britch said: “The manager does not understand the learning and development requirements for the Early Years Foundation Stage sufficiently.

“She has not made sufficient progress in tackling the previous actions raised at the last inspection to effectively track children’s progress, in order to understand their needs and plan activities and support.

“Staff are suitably qualified but do not use their knowledge effectively to accurately observe and assess children’s achievements or plan for their next steps in learning.

“Consequently, some activities lack challenge to meet children’s individual needs.

“The manager has no suitable methods of identifying the strengths and weaknesses of her provision.

“She is unable to move her practice forward and improve children’s progress.”

However Mrs Britch said that children have good relationships with staff which enables them to feel safe, confident and settle well.

She added: “Children play in an environment which is clean and adequately resourced.”

The nursery has 18 children currently on the roll and was registered in 1992.

Manager Sharon Murray said: “I have acted quickly to improve the nursery and I’m satisfied that I have done that.

“I’m hopeful that at our next inspection we will be upgraded.”