A pre-school has been downgraded from outstanding to inadequate after Ofsted inspectors flagged up safety concerns.

Southborough Pre-School, based in the community hall on Crundwell Road, Tunbridge Wells, was visited in January, with the biggest concern relating to a failure to check adults working with children were suitable.

The pre-school says it has "already made steps to address the key improvement areas" highlighted in the report.

In that recently-released report, inspectors said: "The registered provider and the manager do not consistently follow procedures for safer recruitment of staff and committee members."

It went on: "The registered provider has failed to notify Ofsted about all committee members so that suitability checks can be carried out. Committee members take an active role in the running of the pre-school.

“The manager and the registered person have a poor understanding of the procedures for safer recruitment. Not all staff have had sufficient checks to establish their suitability.

“This does not ensure children's safety and welfare.”

Inspectors last visited seven years ago, prior to the Covid pandemic.

This year, they noted "weaknesses in safeguarding procedures (which) compromise children's safety and welfare".

It continued: “Staff members do not take consistent action in responding to safeguarding issues, such as the procedure for recording pre-existing injuries.

“The arrangements to support children's learning and development require further improvement.

“Leaders and managers do not ensure that staff provide a consistent and effective curriculum for all children.”

But they said children had strong bonds with staff, adding: “Most children arrive smiling and happy to start the day.

“They have adapted well to changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including confidently leaving their parents at the door.

“For those children who appear more anxious on arrival, the caring and nurturing staff are quick to give them cuddles and re-assurance.

“They quickly settle and are soon absorbed in their chosen activities.

“Children enjoy themselves at the pre-school. They demonstrate a keen desire to explore and discover the environment."

A Southborough Pre-School spokesman said: "We are disappointed with the recent outcome of the Ofsted inspection and have already made steps to address the key improvement areas which were identified as a priority in the report.

"We continue to work closely with the relevant authorities to put plans into action which will ensure that Southborough Pre-School continues to be a thriving and caring environment where our children can play, learn and grow.

"The happiness and development of our children sits at the forefront of everything we do.

"Our staff and committee are committed to implementing and taking forward the steps outlined by Ofsted and an action plan has already been introduced to ensure this happens."

Southborough Pre-School - which looks after around 50 children between the ages of two and four - was given five actions to complete in the report, including to implement robust safer recruitment procedures to check adults working with children are suitable to do so and ensure all procedures for safeguarding children are consistently applied in practice.

However, the highlights from the report included that children "love books and storytelling" and "develop their physical skills well".

Inspectors also admired the commitment staff showed to them and the children during the pandemic.

The pre-school was rated as "inadequate" for personal development and leadership and management, and "requires improvement" for quality of education and behaviour and attitudes.