Nursery suspended by ofsted!

[MamaBear878]

Hi all
A bit confused on what to do as our nursery was suspended by Ofsted for 6 weeks but the reasons are a bit unclear. They've mentioned safeguarding concerns but the owner suggested they're aesthetic reasons for which they got shut down...
This is also not the first time this has happened! Is it time to look elsewhere ?
TIA

There will be serious issues for Ofsted to take action, definitely look elsewhere.

Is there an OFSTED report on it on the OFSTED site?

Aesthetic reasons??? Why would a nursery be closed for that. I would be looking elsewhere, not only because of the suspension but also because it does not appear that nursery are being full and frank about the reasons.

is there a report online? I suspect they have been given a deadline to remedy

Look elsewhere.
Happened here and although they reopened after a few months it wasn't worth unsettling the children again so I'd find another setting you're happy with.

Thank you for all your replies! Yes, the report they emailed said that they believe the children may be exposed to "a risk of harm" but didn't really elaborate any further.
I also agree that the lack of transparency is worrying. There must be something seriously wrong if they shut it down straightaway and made us all collect the kids ASAP.

Absolutely, your child's safety is the top priority.

Post the paragraph and someone here will be able to interpret it?

@JanglyBeads I'm worried it will be too outing ...sorry!

I will sum up the main points in the letter though

• they think children are at risk of harm
• suspension is a temporary measure but doesn't mean they will definitely reopen
• they want to investigate and review the situation to make sure children are no longer at risk before lifting suspension
• they are concerned with safeguarding

That's all they've said. The workers allegedly told the parents that it's not a "safety" issue. Not sure what that means!! I think you're all right, will look at other places asap. Just so frustrating as it's been dropped on us so suddenly but of course I'm grateful they've shut it down due to risks!

If ofsted say the kids are at risk of harm, how can nursery say it’s not a safety issue? No doubts in my mind now - definitely look for somewhere else.

@Verite1 exactly! Thank you. I agree.

It's clearly a safety issue and the fact the nursery are lying would make me very worried.

Ofsted don't shut down a nursery same day because of 'aesthetics'. The nursery must think you're all as thick as pigshit.

Used to work in this area. For suspension to take place the matters have to be extremely serious - this doesn't happen often. Either there's been a serious incident that's required an investigation and quick suspension or a slightly less serious incident that's revealed issues and nursery aren't making the required changes or taking it seriously. If it's safeguarding related it could be they have no or inadequate policies, staff are working there without DBS checks, there's been a true safeguarding incident involving staff/an incident when appropriate action wasn't taken or they've identified someone who definitely shouldn't be working there. List isn't exhaustive but it's going to be something along those lines. There's no way I'd keep my child in the setting.

Agree with last poster, a nursery close to us closed down because a worker there has been sharing/distributing illegal images online. Of course it could me many things, but such rapid action and previous issues ring big alarm bells.

Thank you @fozwomble and @IncompleteSenten !

Through the grapevine...it is to do with the owners licence as it was initially a smaller childminders but now expanded out as a nursery. Apparently owner also said that it was to do with slippery surfaces in the nursery that needed work...I don't understand why all of this cannot be explained to us in a detailed letter !!

@jennylamb1 that's so worrying!! My goodness!

I would be moving . You would never feel safe again leaving your child there.

I used to be a childminder so was inspected . I had laminate floors never an issue

It is very rare and sounds like there are different issues at your nursery which is reassuring. it is good that Ofsted have the children's welfare of paramount importance.

A same day shutdown is very rare and suggests Ofsted have serious concerns. I wouldn’t be sending my kids back there.

This happened to my DDs nursery about 7yo.

The safety concerns included the location of the toilet (upstairs)... they had to improve the staircase.
There was also paperwork failures. The manager had become overwhelmed. She was replaced.

In short... it wasn't that the children were neglected or the staff didn't care. It was outdated procedures and a building that was unsuitable. (Army camp, the conversion was done from an old Quarter) They moved into a new building a year later.

What kept up the trust however was they were extremely open about the whole thing. They told the parents everything.

When it did reopen, the previous failings were obvious. They had been well hidden before.

It's not aesthetic reasons.

If its been suspended it's serious. They usually start with "needs improvement" its only if it is too dangerous for a child to go there that it is shut. So I wouldn't ever send my child there.

Thank you everyone

Yes agree with everyone, its too serious. This was an unannounced visit so I wonder if there will be a full report as it wasn't a routine inspection ? Regardless, I've booked a viewing for another nursery!

Unannounced means a complaint or whistleblowing

@jannier oh I didn't know that - thank you! Yikes.