Parents say they have been “left in the dark” after their children’s nursery was closed by Care Inspectorate Wales at short notice to ensure children's “safety and wellbeing”.
Canbee Curious Day Nursery, which cares for up to 50 children from babies to seven-year-olds in the Mochdre Industrial Estate, was forced to close from 6pm on Thursday, June 20, after the early years setting was told that its registration had been suspended.
The details of the suspension have not been revealed, but Care Inspectorate Wales said in a statement: "Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) has enforced a suspension on the registration of Canbee Curious Day Nursery in Newtown. This is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and to allow for further enquiries to be made."
CIW added that it understands “this may be concerning for parents but would like to reassure parents we are working with the provider and Powys Local Authority to resolve the issue”.
Parents who are looking for other childcare settings have been told that they should contact their local family information service.
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In response, nursery owner and manager Amy Parrotte said: "I fully appreciate the concerns of all my parents. I am unable to give any reason for the suspension of registration as CIW do not notify me of any specific details within the enquiry.
"I will be keeping my parents informed as and when I get further details and updates from CIW during their enquires.
"I can reassure my parents that all safety and regulations are always followed, myself and my team work very hard to give the best high quality care, love and nurture to all the children who attend the nursery. Once the enquiries are concluded we will continue to do so."
A father, who did not want to be named, said he felt “fear and worry” since finding out that the nursery has been closed at short notice by Care Inspectorate Wales.
“You play the scenario over and over again worrying that your child has been put in a setting where it’s not safe for them,” he said.
“There’s been no reassurance other than a quick email. It feels like we’re being kept in the dark.
“We always sent our children there in good faith.”
Canbee Curious Day Nursery is based on the Mochdre Industrial Estate in Newtown. (Image: Google Street View)
The dad spoke highly about the staff adding that he had no problems with the nursery before it was suspended.
“The staff there are great, and my child is always happy. We’ve never had any suspicions that anything’s wrong because my child is always so pleased to go in the room and to see the staff.
“The staff seemed just as surprised as us. Staff were very clearly tired and stressed having to defend the nursery when it was not their responsibility.”
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Canbee Curious Day Nursery was given a ‘good’ rating following an inspection by Care Inspectorate Wales in June last year where staff were highlighted for providing a “warm and nurturing child-centred setting”.
The report shared that the leaders were “hardworking and create a positive ethos where children and staff feel valued”.
“People who run the setting have good partnerships with parents who speak very highly of the setting and the staff,” Care Inspectorate Wales added in the report.
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