York nurseries in police probe get formal welfare warning

National education regulator Ofsted yesterday announced it had served a welfare requirement notice on Little Joes, Heworth House, Askham Bar Day Nursery and Heworth Green Day Nursery – which are all owned by the same management.

The Yorkshire Post understands the exact details of the notice are expected to be disclosed today.

In August, York Council and North Yorkshire Police launched an investigation into allegations made about Little Joes in Fishergate and Heworth House in Melrosegate – leading to six women, aged between 18 and 29, being arrested.

Two employees have been excluded from the police enquiries and have returned to work but four employees remain on police bail while inquiries continue.

A statement released by York Council yesterday, said: “The enquiries relate to the running of the nurseries, the quality of care and the welfare of children who attend the nurseries. The allegations do not relate to sexual abuse.

“The enquiries have identified concerns which have resulted in Ofsted issuing a welfare requirement notice, in respect of all four nurseries owned by the same management. Welfare requirement notices are served when Ofsted considers that a provider has failed to comply with the welfare requirements, required by law for all nurseries.

“When this happens, Ofsted provides details of what action should be taken by the nursery and how long it should take. It is an offence for a provider to fail to comply with such a notice.”

“We are pleased to report that with the cooperation of the nurseries management, with York Council and The City of York Safeguarding Children Board, significant positive improvements have been, and are continuing to be, made by the nurseries.”

The nurseries were contacted by the Yorkshire Post yesterday but declined to comment.