A nursery has been rated inadequate after Ofsted inspectors said children’s safety was “compromised”.

Little Caterpillars day nursery in Sawtry was previously rated outstanding, but saw its rating drop after an inspection earlier this year.

Inspectors said the manager of the nursery had failed to make sure that there was at least one member of staff on site who held a valid paediatric first-aid qualification.

The inspection report said children’s safety was therefore compromised.

In the report, inspectors said: “The provider fails to ensure that all legal requirements are met.

“There is no member of staff with a valid paediatric first-aid qualification on the premises while children are present. This does not help to keep children safe in an emergency."

The Inspector continued: “Furthermore, the designated lead practitioner responsible for safeguarding has not completed suitable training to be able to follow the local safeguarding guidelines.”

The report did, however, say that staff did understand signs and symptoms which may indicate a child was at risk of harm.

The nursery has been rated good in the specific areas of the quality of education and behaviour and attitudes.

The inspectors described Little Caterpillars as a “friendly nursery” adding that children “thoroughly enjoy themselves”.

The report said: “[children] arrive eagerly and separate from their carers with ease.
“Children explore numerous exciting resources that are planned around their interests.

“Staff extend activities to build on children’s existing knowledge. For example, when children show an interest in frogspawn, staff help them to learn about the life cycle of a frog.”

The report goes on to say that children show that they feel secure, and that they form “close, nurturing relationships” with adults at the nursery.

Ofsted has asked the nursery to make sure that the lead practitioner responsible for safeguarding has completed the necessary training, and to make sure there is at least one person with an appropriate paediatric first-aid qualification caring for the children.

The nursery was contacted but did not want to comment on the report.