A 'chaotic' nursery has closed after children were spotted playing with hammers by shocked Ofsted inspectors.
Youngsters at the Happy Feet Day Nursery in Coniston Hall, Cannock, were watced playing with the tools such metal tape measures.
Ofsted inspector Anne Clifft said staff were 'not considering the potential risks' in a scathing report.
The nursery has closed down after the inspection said the safety of young children was 'significantly compromised'.
Inspectors, who have just published their report after a visit last month, labelled the nursery inadequate in all areas – the worst rating.
Ms Clifft said "Children's safety is significantly compromised. Staff do not risk assess children's activities.
"They do not consider the potential risks as children play with large hammers and metal tape measures.
"Children are not safe when they play with this equipment because staff fail to supervise them adequately."
She said staff failed to lock doors which lead out on to roads, meaning children can 'easily leave the premises without staff noticing'.
At the time of the inspection 36 children aged from newborn to four were on the roll.
Ms Clifft said staff followed strict routines that did not meet the needs of individual children.
"For example, staff do not notice when children need to have their nappies changed and only take them to be changed when this is pointed out to them.
"They delay the opportunity for younger children to sleep because it is not sleep time.
"This means children are upset and frustrated because they are clearly tired."
She described the nursery as 'chaotic' and said children were given blankets at nap time that were not washed for up to two weeks.
"Staff do not motivate children to play, explore and to make new discoveries. Children wander around aimlessly.
"They are bored, restless and not engaged in purposeful play or learning. This leads to a chaotic and disorderly environment."
Their learning and development was poor, as they failed to 'thrive' and were not well prepared for the next steps in their learning and starting school.
She said leaders did not notify Ofsted of 'significant events' within the required timescale.
But staff did check visitors' identification and request that they sign the visitors' book.
The one key strength mentioned in the report was that staff provided the children with healthy snacks and drinks.
Inspectors issued a Welfare Requirements Notice for the nursery to fulfil by May 2 but the Ofsted report said it had now closed.
Happy Feet Day Nursery was registered by Little Chasers Day Nursery Ltd, which was based at Wolverhampton Road in Cannock before it closed.
Mirror Online has contacted Happy Feet for a comment.
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