A nursery has been told it “requires improvement” by inspectors after a report said children are "disobedient, throw toys and say inappropriate and unkind things to others".

Little Stars Nursery in Devonshire Road, Gravesend, had previously been given an “inadequate” rating and despite improvements since the last Ofsted visit was criticised for failing to “manage children’s challenging behaviour”.

An inspection in January this year led to a report, published on Thursday, February 21, which said "children do not make the progress they are capable of."

Concerns have again been raised about the nursery’s ability to help all pupils “reach their full potential”, following an inspection in May.

The latest report, by inspector Kelly Hawkins, said its variety of resources and adult-led activities, were “not enough” to “consistently motivate children”.

It added: “Staff do not consistently communicate and build on their partnerships with other early years professionals, to ensure continuity of children’s care and learning.”

The nursery, which registered in 2006, was praised for giving pupils the opportunity to “understand other people’s similarities and differences”, and teaching them about other faiths.

The report said: “The manager and staff communicate well with parents and keep them involved in their children’s learning.

“Children are allocated a key person who gets to know their individual personalities well and enjoy the company of staff.”

It added that “safeguarding is effective”, and that “the manager ensures that she always deploys staff well”.

However, the nursery was criticised for planning “generic” next steps for children, such as reading books, and described their overall behaviour as “poor”.

The report said: “Children are disobedient, throw toys and say inappropriate and unkind things to others.”

To improve, Little Stars was instructed to implement effective behaviour management techniques, and ensure children have “a better range of resources, activities and adult-led learning opportunities”. It also suggested the nursery creates more opportunities for pupils “to explore and investigate the natural world”.

Leiza Veronica Tuitt, registered manager at the nursery, said: “I feel okay about the report.

“The report is accurate, and we’ve worked hard to improve since our last inspection.

“We are working towards getting back our ‘good’ rating, and we’ve undergone training to help us help children with their behaviour.”

To read the full report, click here.

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