Electrical wires at a nursery were found in reach of young children and trip hazards were left out where toddlers play, a damning Oftsed inspection has found.

The education watchdog ruled that staff at Tiny Stars in Wincheap failed to risk-assess areas used by its youngsters, who are aged from babies to four years old.

As a result, the nursery in Simmonds Road was given an 'Inadequate' rating - the lowest possible grading.

Ofsted inspector Sara Garrity, who visited the day care facility last month, says the soft-play area and garden were of particular concern, with the safety of children put at risk.

"Staff do not make sure all hazards are identified or continually risk-assess the areas to keep children safe," she said.

"For example, they do not immediately remove trip hazards in the garden where children are running around, or ensure electrical wires are out of reach.

"The provider does not effectively deploy staff to ensure children's needs are met.

"For instance, staff do not effectively interact with young children while they are playing in the soft-play area."

On its website, the nursery - rated 'Good' in 2016 - boasts of what it can offer youngsters, including giving them the best start in their learning and development.

It also states that it encourages progressive learning.

But in the Ofsted report, published on Wednesday, December 19, Ms Garrity points to the failure by staff to provide engaging activities for older children to aid their development.

"Children are not making as much progress as possible while at the nursery," she said.

"They do not receive appropriate experiences to help prepare them for the next stage in their learning and move to school."

She says staff working with older children do not make effective use of skilful questioning and youngster's ideas and thoughts to extend their learning.

She also adds that children have limited resources in the mud kitchen and sandpits to motivate them to learn, and that staff do not consistently set clear rules and boundaries to help show the consequences of actions.

"For instance, they allow children to kick footballs where other children are playing and do not support them to learn how to take turns and share," she said.

Ms Garrity says there were some positives alongside her concerns, including the close relationships formed between youngsters and staff.

"Parents and staff also work closely together to exchange information about their child's learning, interests and care routines," she added.

The latest report comes 18 months after two complaints were made to Ofsted about how staff supervise children, meet their needs and interact with them.

Concerns were also raised about food and drink, accidents and the suitability checks in place for staff.

A welfare requirements notice was given, setting out a number of improvements that needed to be made.

The nursery has been contacted for comment.