A children’s nursery has been temporarily closed by Ofsted after a staff member was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of indecent images
The Naturally Learning Nursery in Dracaena Avenue, Falmouth, which also has branches elsewhere in the county, said it fully understands how the temporary closure of the nursery and arrest will cause “significant” concern to people but emphasises that the nursery is not part of the police investigation nor are they investigating any association with it.
The arrest on July 26 followed the execution of a police warrant in the Falmouth area in which a person was arrested on suspicion of indecent images offences. They have been released under police investigation. Police have confirmed that there is no active direct police investigation into the nursery.
However as a result Ofsted has temporarily suspended the registration as part of its normal safeguarding systems and processes to keep children safe, but the nursery say it hopes it will be re-registered as “quickly” as possible.
It says it is unable to give any further information as the nursery is not part of the police investigation and they are not investigating any association with the nursery. It also says it has no knowledge of the nature of the allegations.
It says it fully understands how the temporary closure and arrest will cause significant concern to people, but it says it is unable to give any further information about the arrest or what it involved. However it did confirm that the staff member in question had been suspended.
“We would like to reassure you all that at this time, the nursery is not under a police investigation and they are not investigating any association with the nursery. However Ofsted have decided to close the nursery as a precautionary measure,” it said.
An Ofsted spokesperson said: “We have suspended this nursery’s registration due to safeguarding concerns. The suspension will remain in place while we investigate those concerns and make sure children are safe.”
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Following an execution of a police warrant, officers arrested a person on suspicion of indecent images offences from the Falmouth area, on Tuesday 26 July. This person has since been released under investigation with conditions, and police enquiries continue into this matter.
“Following this arrest, police have been working with partners including local authorities and Ofsted in relation to wider safeguarding matters.
“At this time, there is no active direct police investigation into a childcare setting, in connection to the initial arrest.”
Source: Falmouth Packet
