Two nurseries near Bristol have been closed temporarily while they are investigated by Ofsted. The Leaping Lambs nurseries in Keynsham and the Willsbridge area of South Gloucestershire have both had their registrations suspended by Ofsted.
And the Willsbridge site has been removed from the directory of providers by South Gloucestershire Council, according to a letter seen by Bristol Live. Ofsted's website says that they only suspend a nursery's registration when they believe "a child or children may be at risk of harm".
The manager of the Leaping Lambs nurseries, Rebecca Lewis, said that they were unable to comment on the reason for the suspension while the investigation is carried out. "We are unable to comment further at this stage due to Ofsted rules. We can however confirm that both Keynsham and Willsbridge sites have had their registration temporarily suspended for a period of time.
Read more: Staff 'breached human rights' of care home residents
“We do understand as parents ourselves the anxiety and frustration this has caused. We are working with Ofsted and other bodies to resolve the issues as fast as possible. Our other settings are unaffected and remain open," she said.
A letter sent to a parent by the council says that the Willsbridge site was suspended by Ofsted on August 9, and the suspension will last for six weeks.
One parent, who asked not to be named, told Bristol Live that the issue was causing a "great deal" of stress. "This has come as a massive shock to all of us. We are all now left struggling to find a new provider with other nurseries in the area having long waiting lists.
"Our three year old has lots of friends he is unable to say goodbye to and the whole thing feels fairly insensitive to the needs of our children. Our son was thriving at Leaping Lambs so this is very disappointing news indeed. Particularly as we have only been told it's a safeguarding issue and given no further details."
Leaping Lambs also run nurseries in Bath and Swineford, according to its website. Ofsted's website gives the reasons why a provider will have their registration suspended.
It says: "Sometimes we need to suspend a provider’s registration. We only do this if we believe a child or children may be at risk of harm.
"This does not always mean that the provider has done something wrong. It gives us or other agencies, such as the police or the local authority, time to look into concerns.
"It also gives us or the provider time to take steps to reduce or remove any risk to children. We will end the suspension as soon as we are satisfied that children are not at risk."
This article was amended to remove the line which said: "According to the letter, the Leaping Lambs Forest School in Willsbridge will no longer be able to offer free education to children even after the suspension is lifted." If Ofsted lift the suspension of Leaping Lambs Forest School, they will be reinstated to South Gloucestershire Council's directory of providers and will be able to continue to deliver the free entitlement to early education for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.
Read next:
