A damning Ofsted report has revealed the safety and wellbeing of children is being compromised at a nursery where babies cry for long periods despite staff's re-assurances.

Inspectors rated the Busy Bees Day Nursery in Meopham as "inadequate" following an unannounced visit on May 13.

A report from the education watchdog has since revealed that early years children's safeguarding arrangements were not being met at the Wrotham Road facility, near Gravesend.

It says "too often" babies are passed between staff they are unfamiliar with resulting in children becoming stressed and crying for long periods.

The nursery said it was "very disappointed" by the findings but had taken actions to improve its services after receiving welfare notices. On a follow up visit on June 10 it says "all of these notices were confidently met".

Following its initial visit, the education watchdog concluded staff had poor knowledge of possible signs of abuse and neglect that could suggest an infant is at risk of harm.

They were also unaware of wider safeguarding issues, such as if a child was at risk of being drawn into radicalisation or extremism.

Inspectors noted in particular how significant changes to the leadership team, manager and staff have had a negative impact on the nursery.

As a result, there were numerous breaches of welfare requirements, and children's safety and wellbeing could not be assured.

The report read: "The key person approach is ineffective. As a result, babies and younger children do not develop the bonds they need with key staff to help them feel safe and secure.

"Too often babies are passed between staff, including those who are unfamiliar to them.

"Younger children become visibly distressed and cry for long periods despite staff offering babies reassurance with cuddles."

Ongoing staffing issues have had also had great impact on children's care and learning.

Inspectors found pre-school children enjoying learning and concentrating in activities that interest them such as bingo and matching numbers.

However, when some children do not know the numbers or find holding pens difficult, staff fail to recognise and help children to learn new information or master new skills.

On staffing issues, the report added: "This is particularly evident for the youngest children, who are often moved between staff in their rooms.

"As a result, staff do not understand children's individual care needs. Additionally, not all parents are aware of who their child's key person is."

The nursery has now been downgraded from its previous rating of "Good" to inadequate, which it scored in all four categories assessed.

In a statement, the provider said it respects the findings and content of the report and has now taken action it believes will address the concerns.

"I am confident that next time Ofsted visit there will be a very different and much more positive outcome."

Karen Officer, area director for the Busy Bees said: "We have taken on board the comments from the Ofsted inspection and are dealing with the points they identified.

"We are supporting the management team at the nursery and we continue to invest in our staff through training.

"By doing this we are ensuring the needs of children at the nursery are being met at all times.

"We apologise for falling below the standards parents and children expect of us and are committed to improving the nursery.

"I am confident that next time Ofsted visit there will be a very different and much more positive outcome."