An award-winning nursery has been ordered to improve after an Ofsted inspection saw its rating drop in two areas from outstanding to requiring improvement.

Inspectors visited Stone Eden Nursery at Wheelbarrow Hall, Aglionby, near Carlisle, in September and found that two out of four areas needed attention.

Inspector Clare Wilkins, who wrote the report, said the effectiveness of the leadership and management required improvement as did personal development, behaviour and welfare.

In its two previous inspections, Stone Eden Nursery School was given an outstanding rating in these two areas.

In the latest inspection, it received a good rating for the quality of teaching, learning and assessment and a good rating in the outcomes for children category.

In her report Ms Wilkins said: “The key-person system is not always effective, particularly at times of change, such as when children move to the next room in the nursery.

“Staff caring for children do not have sufficient information about children’s individual needs. Children are not fully supported to form secure attachments and develop emotional security.

“The arrangements for supervision do not support staff consistently enough to raise their teaching skills to the highest level.”

However, despite the criticism, a number of strengths were found.

The inspector said: “Staff observe children and check the progress they make.

“This helps them to plan activities that support children’s continued development and they make good progress.

“Children benefit from nutritious, freshly cooked meals and get lots of fresh air and exercise throughout the day. This helps to promote their physical health and well-being.”

David Farrell, owner of Stone Eden Nursery School, said: “We are disappointed with the inspector’s views.

“I don’t think it reflects the current or past parents’ view of the nursery and we have appealed against the judgement.

“We expect to hear back from Ofsted about whether or not our appeal has been successful in early November.

“Our staff are inspirational and I think it is an unfair reflection of how hard they work.”

In 2014, Stone Eden Nursery School was again given the highest possible rating – outstanding – by the education watchdog Ofsted for its standards and provision. Only 12 per cent of nurseries are graded outstanding in the UK.

It originally opened in Warwick-on-Eden and extended before it moved to its current premises in Aglionby in 2008.

It now employs 58 staff and has 244 children on roll.