Nursery and preschool in South Bristol closes with immediate effect due to “safeguarding breaches”

Little Big Steps Nursery & Pre-School, located within the Park Centre in Knowle (pictured 2019), has closed with immediate effect.
-Credit: (Image: Bristol Post)


A nursery in South Bristol has closed with immediate effect after Ofsted temporarily suspended the nursery’s registration to practice following “safeguarding breaches”. The Little Big Steps Nursery & Pre-School, located within the Park Centre in Knowle, told families of the closure on Thursday, November 21.

The educational provider is run by the Partou Childcare group, who run a number of nurseries across Britain. The nursery and preschool provision was given a glowing review by Ofsted in an inspection back in May, however has been forced to close without prior notice.

The director of the Park Centre said the community hub is “obviously concerned” about the situation of the nursery. The Park Centre added that it was important that the safeguarding concerns are investigated thoroughly and quickly.

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In a statement provided by Partou, the nursery group advised parents that the Knowle nursery would be closing with immediate effect after Ofsted investigated safeguarding breaches. Staff members who were involved were removed from duty pending the investigation.

A spokesperson from Partou said: “On Thursday, November 21, we advised families that Little Big Steps Day Nursery in Knowle was to close with immediate effect, following the temporary suspension by Ofsted of the nursery’s registration to practise. Families were advised of the nursery’s closure as soon as possible.

“The suspension follows a decision by Ofsted to investigate safeguarding breaches reported to the inspector by the nursery’s management this week. The breaches constitute a failure to meet the standards of care that we commit to and came to light during a routine review of procedures for training purposes.

“Evidence of the breaches was shared with Ofsted and the nursery’s Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) straight away. Any team members directly involved from the nursery were removed from duty with immediate effect pending the investigation.

“Following a review of the material, Ofsted determined that an investigation was necessary, and therefore took the step to suspend the nursery’s registration for a period of up to six weeks. Ofsted will be contacting families with further information during the course of the investigation.

“We will of course be providing Ofsted with all possible support and assistance. We’re unable to say anything further at this point.”

The director at the Park Centre, Emma Hinton, posted a statement on Facebook on behalf of the community hub. She said: “We have been made aware that the day nursery and pre-school, run by Partou Childcare and a tenant at the Park, has had their registration to practise temporarily suspended by OFSTED pending further investigation into safeguarding breaches.

“Whilst the nursery is not run by The Park, we are obviously concerned to hear about the situation and appreciate the impact that this will have on everyone involved, particularly the families that use the Little Big Steps facility. As an organisation, we take safeguarding very seriously and it is clearly important that such matters are thoroughly investigated quickly.

“We are in conversation with the Partou management and are confident that the relevant steps are being taken to address the issues raised. Once actions and outcome are agreed, we will post another update. In the meantime we will allow the process to take its course”.

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