CHILDREN at an out-of-school-club have been told that they are at risk after it was rated as “inadequate” by Ofsted.

The Learning Tree in Haslingden was given the lowest grade by the education watchdog following an inspection earlier this month.

When it was last reviewed in May 2010 the club was concluded to be “good”.

Inspectors said that its leadership and management were “inadequate” as well as its personal development, behaviour and welfare of the children.

The club, based at Broadway Primary School but run separately, was however praised for the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.

Inspector Elisia Lee said: “Not all members of staff who work directly with children have had appropriate suitability checks completed.

“Consequently, safeguarding procedures are not effective and children are at risk.

“Not all staff have been subject to a robust selection and recruitment process and references have not been obtained from prior employers.

“Therefore, robust systems of selection and recruitment are not in place and children are at risk.

“Processes for evaluating the setting are not yet robust enough to ensure that all weaknesses are identified and addressed.

“The arrangements for safeguarding are ineffective.

“Children’s welfare is not sufficiently promoted, as safeguarding procedures are not always effectively implemented.”

The Learning Tree was registered in 2010 and has 56 children on its roll between the ages of four and 11.

Director Sharon Crolla said: “We are absolutely devastated.

“We have always prided ourselves in our rigorous recruitment processes.

“We are extremely shocked to have received this graded.

“We’ve had years of ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ grades.

“We are now fully compliant with the regulations and are eagerly awaiting the next inspection.

“The DBS checks are in the process of being completed.”

In the report, Mrs Lee said that the club had a number of strengths such as a range of activities available for the children.

She added that “warm and positive attachments” are in place between children and staff and that staff “nurture children’s needs well” and that they are “settled and happy”.