A nursery in Stockport has been temporarily shut down by Ofsted after inspectors uncovered a series of serious failings, including the administration of medication to children without parental permission and illegal staff-to-child ratios.
The damning report on Buttons Nursery on Viaduct Street rated the setting 'inadequate' in every category, following an inspection on November 11. Inspectors found that children's behaviour was poor, with reports of toys being thrown, hitting, and children left to cry without comfort.
Parent Emma Raine, 29, said her three-year-old son Joseph came home with other children's soiled clothing and was not given his prescribed skin cream. She told the Manchester Evening News: 'I felt sick when I read the report. I'm shocked by it and I want some money back.' Another mother, Emma Bardsley, 28, whose daughter Caoimhe attended, said she was 'disgusted' and that her daughter's behaviour had improved after just a week at a new nursery.
Ofsted suspended the nursery due to concerns over children's safety. Owner Nicola Crabtree claimed the suspension had been lifted and that improvements were being made, but Ofsted confirmed on Wednesday that the nursery remained suspended. Inspectors have served a welfare notice and will monitor compliance.
The report highlighted inadequate teaching, poor staff training, and a lack of understanding of child development. Children were provided with 'mundane and repetitive activities', leading to a lack of self-motivation and confidence. Babies were not given sufficient interaction, and toddlers were left to cry for prolonged periods.
