A PRE-SCHOOL that operates on two sites was shocked when Ofsted inspectors told one site they require improvement, while the other location was deemed to be good.
Phase Five Pre-School in South Yate say it is one pre-school with the same management team, policies and procedures across both sites - and have questioned why the two sites have received wildly different reports.
St Nicholas Church Hall in Abbotswood, for children between two to three years olds, received a good rating in its inspection last December.
But the site for three and four-year-olds in Kelston Close received a 'requires improvement' on April 26 following an inspection at the end of February.
According to Ofsted guidelines, pre-schools located at multiple locations must be inspected on an individual basis.
But members of the school community say that they were shocked to receive these contrasting ratings just months apart.
"Even though our parent lead committee and management team haven't changed, including our policies and procedures, it was quite a shock receiving a second inspection resulting in a requires improvement rating, only a few months after a good rating," said Matthew Pritchard on behalf of the Phase5 parent committee.
"We are one pre-school with the same management team over two sites.
"We rent a hall at the local church across the road (for 2-3 year olds) and then our Kelston room (3-4year olds) in order to provide enough spaces for the local demand.
"Our most pressing question is how has the same team now had two different and completely contrasting Ofsted ratings?
"Issues such as management and leadership have been highlighted as both good and requires improvement at the same time.
"As always we try to continuously improve, and so will take any help and feedback proactively."
In the recent Kelston Close Ofsted report, four categories (quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management) received requires improvement ratings and it was therefore given an overall effectiveness grade of requires improvement.
Inspectors say in particular they found some issues with the curriculum.
"Although children have some positive learning experiences, the curriculum planning lacks challenge and does not build effectively on what each child knows and can do," read the recent Ofsted report.
"Children in receipt of funded one-to-one support make good progress from their starting points because of the close attention they receive from their skilled key person.
"However, due to weaknesses in monitoring and identifying gaps in the curriculum, not all children make the progress that they are capable of."
Despite these issues, the recent report did also have plenty of positive things to say about the Kelston site.
"Children are kept safe in the setting and enjoy the time they spend with their friends," added the report.
"They are well behaved and play happily with, or alongside, others.
"Staff show care and consideration towards the children and are quick to respond if a child is upset.
"They ensure that children eat healthily and have regular outdoor play opportunities."
An Ofsted spokesperson said: "Where an early years setting operates on more than one site (even if they have the same management and staff etc) the law requires each setting to be approved separately by Ofsted, and each individual setting is subject to inspection.
"This is explained in our guidance on our website."
The recent Ofsted report can be found by visiting tinyurl.com/5373jfy5
Phase Five Pre-School in South Yate has been operating for over 45 years.
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