Birdhurst Day Nursery in South Croydon forced to shut down after child suffers serious burns

Birdhurst Day Nursery in South Park Hill Road, South Croydon, was shut by Ofsted this week after the watchdog learned a child had been injured by an exposed heating pipe.

It followed a complaint from a member of the public, who raised concerns about children’s safety.

The nursery, run by charity Christian Family Concern (CNC), reported a “serious accident” involving a child to Ofsted on April 17.

Three days later inspectors received a complaint from someone concerned about the arrangements for caring for children and safety at the nursery, prompting an unscheduled visit on April 22.

After the inspection Ofsted suspended CNC’s registration because they “believed children may be at risk of harm”

A report by Ofsted said the provider put children at risk because it “had not ensured that staff have sufficient knowledge of health and safety issues”.

It added: “As a result, they do not always take prompt and effective action when a child requires emergency first-aid treatment.

“The provider has not ensured that the premises are safe by assessing risks to children and taking prompt action to address identified hazards.

“The provider has not ensured that staff regularly check the safety of the premises and take appropriate action to ensure any hazards are removed or minimised.”

The day after the inspection CNC hired a contractor to cover all hot pipes and radiators in areas accessible to children at the nursery.

A spokeswoman said the charity “greatly regrets” the injuries caused to the child.

She added: “The physical environment in which the nursery operates has been repeatedly inspected and passed by Ofsted and is kept under constant surveillance by the staff. “Nevertheless, it is a matter of great regret that a child managed to touch a hot central heating pipe and suffer burns, which were treated in the prescribed manner.”

Ofsted have asked CNC to improve on six areas before the nursery can reopen, including providing adequate health and safety training to staff, improving the procedures for responding to children who are ill or injured, and ensuring any risks are removed or minimised.

The CNC spokeswoman added: “The charity keeps all its policies under review and its Health & Safety Policy has recently been updated. “An item on health and safety appears regularly on the agendas for trustees' meetings.

“We are careful always to maintain an adequate number of staff, including qualified first-aiders, on duty.”

Unrelated to the child being injured, inspectors also found that the provider failed to notify Ofsted when members of its governing body changes.

Ofsted has sent CNC a warning letter on the matter.

CNC has written to Ofsted to request an early re-inspection date.