A YORK nursery's Ofsted rating has been downgraded to "inadequate," about six months after it was told it "requires improvement."

Kaleidoscope's Acomb nursery, in the grounds of Westfield Primary School, has been rated as inadequate in all areas - effectiveness of the leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; personal development, behaviour and welfare; and outcomes for children. It was also judged to be inadequate in the overall effectiveness category - the quality and standards of the early years provision.

The report follows an inspection on June 27, a little more than six months after its previous inspection on December 12 when it was rated as requires improvement.

In a report, Ofsted inspector Nicola Dickinson said the provider has not notified Ofsted within the required time frame that there has been a change of manager.

She added: "Changes are not being made quickly enough to improve outcomes for all children.

"Evaluation of practice is not effective, which means other areas for improvement are not identified and addressed."

The inspector also says that "insufficient" monitoring of children's progress and educational programmes means not all children who have identified needs are targeted.

She claims planning is "not effective" to provide children with the best possible learning opportunities.

"Children are not supported well enough to make enough progress in all areas of learning and develop the skills they need for school," the inspector said.

However, she says that leaders have taken some steps to improve the nursery since the last inspection. The report states that leaders have developed systems to coach and support staff in order to improve interactions with children.

The report also recognises that risk assessments are implemented "effectively" to keep children safe.

It notes that children settle easily and babies are comforted by "caring and attentive" staff.

In addition, it says "children behave well as staff are clear about expectations" and "they learn about the importance of healthy eating and exercise."

The nursery and Kaleidoscope's head office declined to comment when contacted by The Press.