Social care teams are working ‘closely’ with Ofsted and police after a baby girl was rushed to hospital in a critical condition following an ‘incident’ at an Oldham nursery.
Ofsted has temporarily suspended the registration for the Kids Around The Clock Nursery on Main Road in Chadderton, and it could remain closed until November 7.
Police were called to the scene by paramedics with the North West Ambulance Service shortly before 4pm on September 21, to reports a seven-month-old girl was critically ill and being rushed to hospital.
A woman in her 30s has been arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault and child cruelty but has since been bailed with strict conditions.
The baby girl remains in hospital in what police described as a ‘serious but stable condition’.
Oldham’s Safeguarding Children’s Partnership is understood to be following national procedures in relation to the case, but it is too early to confirm whether this will progress to a full Child Safeguarding Practice Review.
A Child Safeguarding Practice Review – previously known as a Serious Case Review – is undertaken when a child dies or a child has been seriously harmed, and abuse or neglect of a child is known or suspected.
A spokesperson for Oldham council said: “Our social workers took swift action as soon as we were made aware of this incident, and we’re now working closely with Ofsted and Greater Manchester Police to understand the circumstances of this very concerning situation involving a young child.
“We’re unable to comment on the specifics of the case at this time, due to the ongoing police investigation, but will continue to do all we can to ensure children are safe.”
The child’s parents are being kept updated and are being supported by the investigation team currently, police have confirmed.
In its letter notifying the nursery of suspension, Ofsted said: “The purpose of suspension is to allow time to investigate our belief that a child may be exposed to a risk of harm and for any necessary steps to be taken to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm.
“We will regularly review the situation and will stop the suspension within this period if we believe children are no longer at risk.
“The suspension does not automatically mean that a provider is unsuitable to provide care in the future or that we will cancel registration. We only take steps to cancel registration if we consider that the provider is no longer suitable to provide childcare.”
The nursery was previously rated ‘outstanding’ by the watchdog following an inspection in 2017.
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