A DAMNING Ofsted report has concluded children are exposed to the risk of serious harm and are not protected at a Poole pre-school.

Inspectors who visited St Clements pre-school said managers do not take effective action to refer serious concerns to the relevant services and said child protection issues are poorly recorded.

The pre-school, which meets at St Clements Church Hall in Kinson Avenue, was given the lowest possible grade of ‘Inadequate’ following the inspection which took place last month.

Inspectors said: “Child protection issues are poorly recorded. The pre-school cannot demonstrate what action has been taken in such cases and does not know that children are safe.”

They also criticised weaknesses in teaching and said it does not help children do as well they should.

Positive comments included the pre-school’s “cheerful atmosphere” and inspectors said children have good relationships with staff, “chatting and laughing with them as they play”.

They said children pay attention to stories and instructions and develop careful listening skills.

The pre-school has 34 places but has just 22 children on roll.

Ofsted inspectors said prompt action is needed to report concerns about welfare and said the recording of safeguarding issues needs to be improved.

They also recommended performance reviews for staff and said the quality of teaching needs to be improved to allow children to make good progress.

Outcomes for children and the quality of teaching, learning and assessment were graded as ‘Requires Improvement’ with the effectiveness of the leadership and management and personal development, behaviour and welfare rated ‘Inadequate’.

In a statement to parents, members of the St Clements committee said the Inadequate grade was the result of failing to accurately document records and said the “error was corrected.”

They offered to meet parents to discuss concerns and said they will welcome a return visit from Ofsted before the end of the summer term.

“We would like to reassure you that your children attend a safe and exciting environment that they greatly enjoy and receive a strong education, as confirmed in the Ofsted report” they added. “We are all in belief we must ensure the children are our priority and we have agreed for an intensive intervention process to be implemented immediately.”