SIR — With what delight and despair must the two Minehead nursery groups have read their respective reports from their Ofsted inspector (Free Press November 11).

For the want of a few dotted Is and crossed Ts one was damned and one was lauded.

There is undoubted value in the Ofsted reports and the management rightfully should heed their advice and act on it – but why oh why do the reports have to be made so public?

Teachers carefully avoid negative criticism when teaching – yet it is apparently OK for the ultimate teaching authority to shout it from the rooftops.

How can such public criticism be helpful unless the intent is to undermine and demoralise hard-working staff?

Can anyone explain how it can make any difference to tell the world about documentation shortcomings when only the staff and committee need to know and act on it?

We have no connection with either nursery, but as demonstrated in your columns last week, parents are in a far better position to know how happy and well cared-for their children are.

We wish both nurseries and their committees continued success in creating an excellent early years experience for all their young pupils.

Olive and Jim Butterworth,

Grove Road,