Cash and iPads stolen as Northampton nursery that is providing childcare for key workers is broken into

A Northampton nursery that was looking forward to celebrating its fifth birthday this week has suffered a blow after a break-in.

Little Learners, in Cliftonville, was broken into over the Easter weekend when around £800 of cash, 14 iPads and a camera were stolen.

According to the nursery’s alarm system, the break-in happened at around 3.30pm on Friday (April 10).

The nursery’s CCTV saw a man in the area just before the alarm was activated, but the camera does not show the incident itself.

Hollie Young, manager of Little Learners Nursery, said: “We weren’t open as we close on bank holidays.

“From what we can see, they went round the back of the building. We have fencing around the back garden and they jumped over that and then came through to our back door.

“We have two back doors and they got in through the fire door that is half a glass panel and half a wooden panel.

“They kicked in the wooden panel to create a hole.

“They then took a route right through the nursery, through the piazza, into the corridor, then into the reception area and the office where they took the black safe off the wall. It had around £800 of cash in it.

“They also took 14 iPads which were also in a safe.”

Among the stolen tablets were six seventh generation iPads that are valued at around £350 each, as well as iPad minis and a couple of second generation iPads.

According to Hollie, the iPads have been restored to factory settings.

Hollie added: “They didn’t touch anything else or any other valuables, so our worry is that they could come back, but there is nothing on the premises now.”

Since the break in, the nursery staff have implemented measures to make sure the premises are safe and secure so they can continue to provide childcare for key workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

The nursery is also due to celebrate its fifth birthday later this week and Hollie is determined that the break-in will not stop them from marking the occasion or continuing to support key workers.

“The main thing is nobody got hurt and we will get through this," Holly added

“We are a team and we are stronger than them and we will beat them. We are all extremely proud to work for Little Learners and to be a part of this amazing team

“Our job is to provide support for all the emergency workers and we will continue doing that.”

Hollie also wanted to thank her employers for their continued support.

Northamptonshire Police confirmed the incident.

A spokeswoman for the force said: “The unknown offender or offenders broke into the nursery by forcing the back door.

“Once inside, they stole over a dozen iPads, cash, and a camera.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or knows anything about it is encouraged to call police on 101.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you