ENFORCEMENT action has been taken against a pre-school where children’s safety is “significantly compromised”.

Ofsted originally visited Dar Ul Madinah nursery in Granville Road, Blackburn, in March and found staff at the facility did not do enough to ensure the safety of children.

A follow-up visit conducted last month found that despite wholescale staff changes, working practices had not improved.

A Welfare Requirements Notice was issued requiring the provider to implement a number of steps to ensure children at the pre-school were not at risk of harm.

Following the latest visit, inspector Linda Shore said: "Managers who are responsible for safeguarding do not have the relevant knowledge, training and skills to keep children safe.

"Children's safety is significantly compromised.

"Induction procedures are not adequate.

"Staff do not have a secure knowledge and understanding of how to report concerns about children's welfare, nor do they know the correct procedures to follow in the event of an emergency.

"The provider has not ensured that all suitability checks have been completed prior to staff having unsupervised contact with children being cared for."

The pre-school provides full day care and currently has 15 children aged between two and three on its roll.

Ms Shore added: "Safeguarding is not effective. Induction procedures for new staff do not adequately prepare them for their roles and responsibilities.

"They do not know the correct evacuation procedures to be followed in an emergency.

"Staff do have an understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm.

"However, the designated safeguarding officer does not have the required skills and training for the role, therefore, she does not know what to do if concerns are reported to her.

"The provider has records of Disclosure and Barring Service checks from staff's previous employers and is undertaking their own checks to ensure staff's suitability.

"However, these checks have not been completed prior to the beginning of term.

"As a result, staff members whose suitability has not been rigorously checked are working unsupervised with children, including providing intimate care.

"This combination of failures puts children at significant risk of harm.

"Plans are in place to monitor children's progress and provide supervision and training for staff's ongoing professional development."

Nodoby from Dar ul Madinah was available for comment.