Leaping Lambs nursery temporarily closed for Ofsted investigation into ‘safeguarding concerns’

A nursery in Keynsham has been forced to close temporarily due to an ongoing investigation by Ofsted.

Leaping Lambs Preschool and Nursery, which uses Elim Church in Balmoral Road, is currently shut as the education watchdog ‘makes enquiries into safeguarding concerns’.

Despite being approached by Bristol World, the nursery company, which also has a pre-school at Jarretts Garden Centre in Willsbridge, has not commented.

However, Ofsted has released a brief statement on the situation. It said: “We have suspended the registration of the nursery while we make enquiries into safeguarding concerns. We are unable to comment further.”

The nursery in Keynsham closed on August 9. It comes ahead of a planned move to Broadlands Academy in St Francis Road as advertised on the group’s Facebook page.

Despite the investigation, nothing has been published on Ofsted’s website. There has also been no notice on the nursery’s website or social media channels - although it is understood that th parents received an email.

The situation has left some parents desperately searching for spaces at other education providers in the area.

On its website, Ofted says that it sometimes suspends a childcare provider’s registration is it believes a child or children maybe at risk of harm.

It adds: “This does not always mean that the provider has done something wrong, but it does allow Ofsted time to look into its concerns or give it or the provider time to take steps to reduce or remove any possible risk.”