Police confirm investigation into assault at recently closed down Northamptonshire pre-school
Police have confirmed they are investigating reports into an assault at a recently closed down pre-school in Northamptonshire.
Last week, Ducklings Pre-School in Creaton confirmed it had closed permanently after failing to meet Ofsted’s safeguarding and welfare requirements.
On Monday, January 26, Northamptonshire Police confirmed it received a report on December 22 regarding a physical assault which allegedly took place at this educational setting.
Police said no arrests have yet been made in connection with this investigation.
The closure of the site came after a temporary suspension of the nursery’s registration in December, after Ofsted said it believed children ‘may be at risk of harm’.
According to an Ofsted compliance report published this month (January), inspectors carried out an unannounced visit to the pre-school in November and found it was not meeting a number of legal safeguarding and welfare requirements.
Ofsted said a welfare requirements notice was issued, requiring improvements to be made by early December.
However, a follow-up visit found these actions had not been completed, and further safeguarding concerns were identified.
A second welfare requirements notice was then issued, setting out additional steps the pre-school needed to take, including improving staff training, safeguarding procedures, risk management, and secure record-keeping.
Ofsted confirmed that on January 15 the provider informed the regulator of its decision to resign its registration.
In an email to parents and carers, seen by this newspaper, the trustees of Ducklings Pre-School said they had made the ‘extremely challenging’ decision to close.
The email reads: “As you are aware, Ofsted issued a welfare requirements notice before Christmas, and despite all our best effort, we have not been able to meet these requirements in a way that allows us to continue operating.
“Therefore, the trustees have made the difficult decision to cease operating the pre-school with immediate effect.
“This has been an extremely challenging decision and we understand that the news will be a shock. We sincerely apologise for the disruption caused and would like to thank you for your continued support over the years.”