A nursery has been rated as inadequate for not meeting safeguarding and welfare requirements.

The Butterfly Patch nursery, in Shirley, opened in March and looks after up to 15 children.

It is based in the former Bywood Medical Centre building on Brookside Way – a former GPs’ surgery which closed in 2016.

A report from Ofsted was published on June 26 following an inspection on May 30. The effectiveness of the nursery’s “leadership and management” was rated as inadequate as was the “personal development, behaviour and welfare” of children.

But Ofsted rated it as “good” when it came to “outcomes for children” and “quality of teaching, learning and assessment”.

Founder Olivia Rowlings said it was a “really, really sad time” for the nursery adding that the inadequate rating was “borne out of a very specific incident”. 

The Ofsted inspectors found that although “clear safeguarding policies” are in place they are not always adhered to.

The report said: “For example, the provider has failed to notify Ofsted of information relating to a safeguarding matter as required.

“In addition, the correct procedures were not followed regarding the matter.”

It adds that despite a clear policy for recruitment, background checks were not completed on staff.

Ms Rowlings said that the nursery has added an extra reference check by an external company.

“We’ve put everything in place you can possibly imagine,” she said.

“It happened [with] one incident, it is not something across the board that we were bad at.

“I have got highly experienced staff and my manager has a background in childcare for nine years.

“It has been a horrible situation for us. It is just sad.” In its report Ofsted also outlined the nursery’s strengths which include that the staff offer children lots of praise and encouragement.

It adds that there are “strong partnerships” with parents and outside agencies.

The Butterfly Patch is due to be inspected by Ofsted again in September and Ms Rowlings said she is confident it will be rated “outstanding”.