A NURSERY has gone from “good” to “inadequate” after its latest inspection.

Sunbeams Day Nursery in Atherton has been given the worst possible ranking by healthcare regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The Old Bolton Road facility’s effectiveness of leadership and management, and its personal development, behaviour and welfare, were rated “inadequate”.

The quality of teaching, learning and assessment as well as outcomes for children also “requires improvement” according to inspectors.

The report said: “Safeguarding is not effective. Staff do not have knowledge or experience to meet the needs of babies.

“The leader in the baby room does not have suitable experience of caring for babies.

“The manager has failed to provide staff with adequate coaching and supervision to help improve staff practice in the baby room.

“Staff who are responsible for babies do not support their emotional well-being. For example, staff leave babies to cry and do not offer adequate comfort and support.

“On occasions, staff working with older children fail to build further on what children know. For example, able children are not encouraged to recognise the letters and sounds within their name during self-registration activities.”

The inspection, which was carried out on January 17, did recognise some positive aspects of the nursery though.

The report said: “Staff access child protection training regularly and know the action they must take if they are concerned about a child’s welfare.

“Children benefit from and enjoy a variety of freshly prepared meals.

"The management team and staff have developed effective strategies to provide ongoing communication for older children.

"Parents comment positively on the support that they receive to continue learning at home. For example, staff provide a newsletter to give parents ideas on how to further develop key skills.

"Staff use positive behaviour management strategies to ensure that children understand boundaries and routines. Children behave well."

The nursery, which offers early education for children between the ages of two and four, was rated “good” in its last inspection in April 2016.

Nursery manager Angela Williamson said: “We are very disappointed with the outcome of our Ofsted inspection, but would like to assure parents that following the findings in the report we now have a comprehensive action plan in place to make the necessary changes.

“With the support of Ofsted and Wigan Council, and the backing of our parents and staff, we are working hard to regain a ‘good’ Ofsted outcome.”