A nursery has been rated Inadequate by Ofsted, with an inspector saying toddlers “do not get the care and attention they need to support their well-being.”

The education watchdog gave examples of youngsters at Kiddie Kapers Neighbourhood Nursery in Ashford throwing toys onto a canopy out of boredom, and staff not noticing when a child put an object in their mouth, which could have caused them to choke.

The nursery, at The Willow Centre in Brookfield Road, has been downgraded from Requires Improvement to Inadequate - Ofsted’s lowest rating - following an inspection in June.

In response, the nursery’s chairman, Rev Jerry Newson, said staff were disappointed by the outcome, and committed to addressing the welfare points.

The watchdog’s report said that staff were not doing enough to engage with children or keep them safe.

“Teaching is weak, and children do not receive good-quality interactions and experiences that support their learning,” wrote the inspector.

“Staff do not plan an environment that supports children’s next steps or interests and as a result, children spend time wandering around not engaged in anything meaningful.

‘Teaching is weak, and children do not receive good-quality interactions...’

It is the second time in less than a year that the nursery, which looks after youngsters up to five years old and has 77 places, has received a negative rating by the watchdog.

In November 2022, Kiddie Kapers was downgraded from Good to Requires Improvement.

Its management was subsequently instructed to support staff to improve “the quality of interactions with children and promote consistently good teaching”.

Following the latest inspection on June 26, points were raised about inadequate help for children who require extra support.

The report said: “For example, children who need support with their speech and language are not effectively supported.

“Staff do not know how to engage children in meaningful conversations or interactions to extend their speech further. For instance, at times, babies are faced away from staff when they are talking to them.”

The report did say children arrive happy and settle quickly at the nursery, and parents and carers speak highly of the “kind” and “friendly” staff.

Rev Jerry Newson says the facility is determined to return to Ofsted’s good books.

He told KentOnline: “Kiddie Kapers Community Nursery has a long and proud history of providing ‘good’ quality daycare to children, thanks to the commitment, skills and experience of the Kiddie Kapers team.

“Staff were naturally disappointed by the outcome of this inspection. The whole of our hard-working Kiddie Kapers team shares Ofsted’s and The Education People’s ambition to ensure that families can access the best possible daycare.

“Our dedicated team is committed to addressing the welfare points raised by inspectors and, following immediate improvements, they have now been lifted.

“With the full reinspection due in the next few months, we are now committed to get our rating back to a level our Kiddie Kapers families deserve.”