A PLAYSCHOOL where children are "not adequately protected" has received a damning report from education watchdogs.

Hamble Village Playschool has been rated 'inadequate' by Ofsted following its most recent inspection.

The school, at Memorial Hall on High Street, is a community-run playschool for children aged between two years six months and five years old.

It has slipped from a 'good' rating after inspectors found that children are "not adequately protected" and recruitment procedures are "not robust".

READ MORE: Southampton school named 'one of the best in country' drops down Ofsted grade

The playschool has said it is "disappointed" by the report but is "committed to addressing the challenges raised as quickly as possible".

It is now taking steps to update its policies.

The inspection was carried out on May 10 and the report, which is publicly available, was published on June 15.

Two out of four categories - 'quality of education' and 'behaviour and attitudes' - were rated 'good'. 

But 'personal development' and 'leadership and management' were both rated 'inadequate'.

READ MORE: Nursery where children are 'free to express themselves' praised in watchdog report

Despite this, inspectors highlighted that children have "good attitudes" when learning and "enjoy their time" at the school.

Inspectors highlighted that the provider does not have a robust recruitment procedure or processes in place to ensure "ongoing suitability".

They said this demonstrates "poor leadership" and that "children's safety and welfare are not assured".

The manager does not monitor the work of staff "rigorously enough", inspectors said.

Inspectors added that the "lack of robust recruitment" and "weaknesses in reviewing staff's ongoing suitability" could potentially impact the children's well-being and safety.

It was highlighted that some staff do not "consistently" undertake assessments for their key children.

However, it was noted that children "learn well" and parents speak highly of the playschool saying they notice "an improvement in their children's development at home".

Inspectors said that the quality of education is good and developing communication and language is a "strength of the setting".

Inspectors said staff are "warm and caring" and that children from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs receive "effective support".

The playschool staff have a presence within the community and receive food donations from the supermarket, which they share with parents.

A spokesperson for the playschool said: "The Ofsted report highlights a number of positive aspects, including good assessments in the quality of education, behaviours and attitudes categories.

"We are understandably disappointed with the overall assessment reached but respect the findings and are committed to addressing the challenges raised as quickly as possible.

"We take governance extremely seriously and, working alongside the local authority, have already taken steps to update our policies and procedures in line with the points raised by the inspector.

"The findings from Ofsted have been communicated to parents and carers, and we continue to keep them fully informed on the progress all of the actions being taken."

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