A West Bridgford nursery has been told to make urgent improvements after Ofsted found failures in managing heatwave conditions, staffing and children’s learning.
Kids Planet Loughborough Road, at 103 Loughborough Road, received an “urgent improvement” rating in all six areas assessed during an inspection on 7 July 2026.
The report said children’s wellbeing was significantly affected by leaders’ failure to manage hot temperatures, including in areas used for sleeping. Inspectors also found that staff did not consistently know children’s basic needs or provide the interactions needed to support their development.
Ofsted said it intended to take enforcement action and would issue a Welfare Requirements Notice covering hot-weather safety, outdoor play and staff deployment.
The inspection took place following a risk assessment prompted by information received about the provider. The report does not specify what that information concerned.
During the visit, which took place in a heatwave, leaders had not established an effective and consistent system for identifying and responding to concerns about temperatures. Staff had not identified the risks associated with children sleeping in the heat.
The report said children became tired but could not be put down to sleep safely because of the risk of overheating. Some struggled to concentrate and appeared lethargic.
Despite several leaders from the nursery organisation being present, effective decisions about managing the temperature were delayed for a considerable period, according to the inspector.
Equipment used to measure room temperatures was unsuitable. The report said leaders attempted to use an ear thermometer and a broken fridge probe to check temperatures in downstairs rooms.
Staff continued to support children in extreme heat despite raising concerns with leaders, which the report said also affected their own wellbeing and workload.
Inspectors identified further weaknesses in outdoor safety. Arrangements for children using large play equipment had not been shared with all staff, including some who were new or unfamiliar with the nursery’s procedures.
Staffing arrangements also failed to consistently meet children’s needs. Some staff working with younger children who spoke English as an additional language did not know their names, developmental stages or which language they spoke.
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities were not receiving consistent care from their key person or other staff. Ofsted said poor teaching affected disadvantaged and vulnerable children most severely, with children needing extra help often left without support for their development.
Across the nursery, interactions were frequently limited to practical instructions, such as asking children to sit still or fetch their shoes. For lengthy periods, staff did not interact with children as they played.
The inspector found that children were not developing appropriate communication and language skills and were not well prepared for the next stage of learning. Some wandered away during stories or struggled to focus amid distractions.
The six areas rated as requiring urgent improvement were achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children’s welfare and wellbeing; curriculum and teaching; inclusion; and leadership and governance.
Separately, the report recorded that safeguarding standards were met. However, it found that the provider was not meeting requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.
The report also identified positive practice. Children generally behaved well and were kind to one another, while attendance was managed effectively. Staff comforted tired babies, and some interactions during babies’ water play were warm and encouraging.
Staff worked effectively with other professionals to help children move on to school, and parents generally valued the care provided.
Ofsted set a deadline of 17 July 2026 for improvements to hot-weather risk assessments, outdoor play safety and staff deployment. It also required the provider to ensure all staff delivered high-quality interactions supporting learning across the curriculum by 4 September 2026.
Both deadlines have now passed. The inspection report does not confirm whether the required actions have since been completed.
The nursery is registered to Kids Planet Day Nurseries Limited. At the time of inspection, it had 64 places and cared for children aged under one to four.
