HOLLYHOCKS Kindergarten in Monkton Farleigh faces closure after its recent Ofsted inspection rating of 'inadequate' will see Wiltshire Council pull the plug on withdraw its funding in September.

The pre-school, run by a committee of parents, received the lowest rating Ofsted can give a rating of inadequate in all areas after a visit by inspector Julie Swann last month – the lowest rating Ofsted can give.

Mrs Swann said Hollyhocks was not preparing children “for the next stage in their learning” and added the 21 pupils are “often limited with their learning due to an overly structured day, leaving many disinterested.”

Mrs Swann said: “A number of legal requirements for the statutory framework of the Early Years Foundation Stage and both parts of the Childcare Register are not met. As a result, the provision for children is inadequate.”

The pre-school, in the grounds of Churchfields School, caters for children aged three to five, and received a 'good' rating in its last inspection in 2009.

In the report, it also said that staff were missing opportunities to further engage with the children, and they did not question them effectively to maximise and extend on what they have said during play therefore “not all are making sufficient progress”.

The report added: “Children excitedly told staff that they had made an ‘electricity’ shop. However, staff only replied ‘wow’. This does not capture the children’s interests to enhance their vocabulary or use the words associated with their play.”

However, Mrs Swann said parents were complimentary about the pre-school setting as staff liaise with parents on a daily basis about their children’s day.

Natalie May, Hollyhocks committee chairman for Hollyhocks, said staff and families are have been left “devastated” by the rating but hopes they can continue despite the funding cut. She added: “We truly believe that the result is unjust and unqualified."

“In one short morning, due to a lack of understanding and ‘fit’, Ofsted inspectors’ tick box list has shattered a vibrant community of 16 years that is loved and respected by all who engage with it.”

Wiltshire Council confirmed this week that due to the inadequate rating, they will be withdrawing their free entitlement funding to the pre-school at the end of the term, which is part of their Early Years and Childcare Local Provider Agreement policy.

Free funding can be claimed by parents for all three and four-year-olds in the county, who are given up to 15 hours early education for free by childminders or private providers.

Ofsted has now given Hollyhocks eight points of key improvements which need to be made in order to meet the requirements of the Childcare Register and Early Years Foundation Stage.