A PRE-SCHOOL where children don’t have access to fresh drinking water has been lambasted in a Ofsted report.

Humpty Dumpty Pre-School, Rawlings Crescent, Colchester, has been rated inadequate by the education watchdog.

The damning rating was seen across all the board when it came to the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

The Ofsted inspector said in their report the pre-school’s children were not protected amid concerns the manager and staff have insufficient knowledge of child protection procedures.

However, during a follow-up inspection on Thursday, they found the manager and provider have now implemented an up-to-date safeguarding policy.

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The pre-school was rated good following its previous inspection in April 2018 but the latest report said the children now “tire” of resources and activities by the afternoon due to the toys remaining unchanged throughout the day.

Staff were criticised for not planning a challenging and stimulating curriculum which encompasses all children’s interests and learning needs.

And serious concerns were raised after the inspector discovered youngsters were not able to freely access fresh drinking water.

It meant many children only have a drink at set snack and mealtimes.

Daily fresh air and exercise during the cold weather is not provided by staff for the children with the pre-school’s garden rarely used in winter, despite when children show an interest in playing outdoors.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are not effectively supported to make the best progress they can, the inspector added.

They highlighted staff do not follow the interests of SEND children, sometimes even preventing them from engaging in an activity when they have expressed an interest.

But despite the issues, the inspector stated children enter the pre-school confidently and quickly become engaged in play.

They giggle as they enthusiastically dance to the “Friday song”, the report noted, and love to show off their moves.

Parents told the inspector they are, generally, happy with the care their children receive.

Humpty Dumpty Pre-School was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of going to press.