Formby Mum Speaks Out as Ofsted Finds Nursery Incident Put Children at ‘Significant Risk of Harm’
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A Formby mum whose two year old daughter was mistakenly taken home by another child’s grandad says she has been left devastated after an Ofsted inspection found serious safeguarding failures at the nursery involved.
The inspection into Kids Planet Crosby was carried out after the shocking incident in June, when two year old Rosie was collected in error and driven away from the nursery before staff realised the mistake. Rosie was safely returned, but her mum, Jody Riley from Formby, later said she had lost confidence in the nursery and would be caring for her daughter herself.
Now, Ofsted has published its findings, concluding that safeguarding standards at the nursery were not being met and that weaknesses in procedures placed children at “significant risk of harm.”
Inspectors found that leadership had failed to ensure safeguarding procedures were implemented consistently, with weaknesses in staff deployment, supervision and collection procedures. The report also raised concerns over children’s privacy during toileting and intimate care, although inspectors noted that the nursery took immediate action to address this during the inspection.
Despite praising staff for developing warm relationships with children and recognising strengths in areas including learning, behaviour and inclusion, Ofsted said these positives did not outweigh the serious safeguarding concerns.
The regulator concluded that the nursery failed to meet safeguarding requirements and said enforcement action would be taken. A Welfare Requirements Notice was issued requiring the provider to complete a four point action plan.
Responding to the report, Kids Planet said it remained “deeply sorry” for what it described as an isolated and unprecedented incident caused by human error when established procedures were not followed.
The nursery said it had since introduced stronger collection procedures, enhanced security arrangements, additional safeguarding training, improved supervision and more robust risk assessments. It also said Ofsted carried out a follow up visit on 22 July, with the outcome expected to be published separately.
For Formby mum Jody Riley, the publication of the report is likely to reopen memories of what she described as every parent’s worst nightmare.
Rosie was returned safely and no physical harm came to her, but the incident has prompted wider questions about safeguarding procedures in early years settings and how children are protected during collection at the end of the day.
The full Ofsted report has now been published, with inspectors stating that improvements are urgently needed to ensure children’s safety and welfare are consistently protected.
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