Updated: STAFF at two children’s nurseries in York have been suspended as an investigation into their operation continues.
North Yorkshire Police and City of York Council, together with Ofsted and the City of York Safeguarding Children Board, have launched a probe into Heworth House and Little Joe’s day nurseries, which have the same owner.
As exclusively revealed by The Press yesterday, the joint inquiry was launched earlier this week and is looking into the running of the private nurseries, the quality of care and the welfare of the children who attend them.
About 80 parents have been notified in writing or by phone, and Joe Cocker, safeguarding manager at the Safeguarding Children Board, said families had also been contacted personally where there was a “specific concern”. A special Bank Holiday information service has been set up for parents.
Suspensions were imposed on staff at both Heworth House, in Melrosegate, and Little Joe’s, in Hospital Fields Road, following visits by police officers, Ofsted and the Safeguarding Board.
Mr Cocker could not confirm how many workers were now suspended but said the nurseries remain open.
He said: “We would like to make it clear the allegations do not relate to sexual abuse.”
However, the exact nature of the allegations against the nurseries has not been revealed.
Mr Cocker said: “As a parent myself, I can appreciate how much anxiety this will cause.
“What gets into people’s minds when you talk about allegations regarding nurseries are high-profile cases, such as that in the south of England. In the case of the York nurseries, we are not talking about sexual abuse or the same ball-park of severity.”
Mr Cocker said the investigation could take “a long time”. He said: “I appreciate this will cause continued anxiety for parents, but we are committed to keeping them informed of further developments and we will give them information as and when we can.”
The nurseries’ owner, Lynn Drydal, said she was “completely shocked” by the investigation and had told several staff to stay at home in order to comply with welfare requirements and be “strong and resilient”. She also said she had told them she was “behind them 110 per cent”.
Ms Drydal said she had not been told what the allegations surrounding the nurseries were, but they had had an “horrendous” effect on her business.
She said: “I would like this investigation to be moved on so I can try to build back up the business which I have had ruined”.
Parents can contact a dedicated service set up by the council’s family information service over the Bank Holiday weekend by texting their name and contact details to 07624 802244, and they will be contacted as soon as possible.
During normal working hours, an advice line will be available on 01904 554444 between 8.30am and 5pm, while parents can also email fis@york.gov.uk
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