A nursery has been temporarily shut down after Ofsted “had reasonable cause to believe children may be exposed to a risk of harm.” Ofsted has suspended Blossoms Preschool, in Queen Elizabeth Way, Colchester, from the register following the concerns raised. The watchdog has written to parents about the closure. The education regulator received concerns that the provider was not meeting some of these requirements in September 2023.
Ofsted said they “will monitor the suspension.” The news has been met with shock in the community. Dave Harris, Labour councillor for Berechurch, said: “Ofsted has found safeguarding issues, and the preschool has been given six weeks to put it right.
“There are 60 children affected by this, and I feel for the staff; they have tried really hard to create a good community nursery. I am saddened to see it closed. I am concerned about anything to do with safeguarding, and you have to raise your eyebrows and concerns. It’s a good little nursery and they really try and do put on good community events, I’ve attended some of the events. It is well thought of, and I am shocked.”
Read more: Bus catches fire in Southend as fire crews block off-road to fight blaze that saw vehicle ‘completely alight’
Read more: Haunting CCTV shows final movements of Essex ‘murder’ victim before he was found in the garden
An Ofsted spokesman said: “I can confirm that we suspended Blossoms Preschool and Children’s Centre on January 13 because we had reasonable cause to believe children may be exposed to a risk of harm. We will monitor the suspension as set out in our guidance.”
A spokesman for the nursery said: “We cannot comment but we trust Ofsted to complete its obligations and investigation.”
Essex County Council was contacted for comment.