Inadequate nursery left children to watch TV and play on ‘unchecked’ tablets

A nursery in Bolton has been criticised by Ofsted inspectors for safeguarding measures after pre-school children were ‘left to their devices’ and allowed to watch films and play games on ‘unchecked’ tablets.

Horwich Day Nursery, on Church Lane in Horwich, was given an ‘inadequate’ rating by Ofsted following an inspection in February this year. Inspectors found that older children at the nursery ‘did not receive the same quality learning experiences’ as younger children.

Inspectors also found that pre-school children received ‘no planned activities or opportunities to play’, while babies at the nursery were met with a ‘well-thought-out’ curriculum featuring sensory play. Inspectors found that the quality of service at the nursery was not consistent, while older children had ‘little meaningful interaction’ with their peers.

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The report highlighted how older children at the nursery were ‘consumed with technology’, and often found lounging on sofas while repeatedly watching films on the television. “Pre-school children are met with an empty room with nothing to entice their interests,” the report noted, highlighting how they would play games on each other’s tablets.

These devices, often brought in from home, were ‘unchecked’ and posed safeguarding concerns. The inspection detailed: “As these devices are unchecked by staff, they cannot ascertain whether they are suitable for children to use. This compromises children's safety.”

The report highlighted ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are not effective’, pointing out how children have access to potentially unsafe and unsuitable content when using devices in the nursery.

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