The Windmill Hill Day Nursery, a privately-run childcare facility in Stoke-on-Trent, permanently closed following safeguarding concerns raised in 2023. The closure marks the end of a period of uncertainty that began when Ofsted, the UK's education standards office, suspended the nursery's registration temporarily to investigate potential issues.

The suspension, which took effect on April 28th, 2023, required the nursery to cease operations while an investigation was carried out. Over the six-week review period, Staffordshire Police launched a parallel investigation into the management and welfare of children at the nursery. Collaborating with local entities, including Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and Ofsted, the police sought to determine whether any criminal offenses had been committed.

A police spokesperson at the time expressed gratitude to parents and carers for their patience and understanding during the inquiries. While the authorities initially focused on determining the nursery's compliance with safeguarding regulations, the investigations ultimately contributed to the nursery closing permanently.

Owners of Windmill Hill Day Nursery, Scott and Samantha Brian, initially responded to the suspension by stating they had received "little information" regarding the specific reasons for the registration suspension. Despite their claims of commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment and emphasising the nursery's previous "outstanding" Ofsted rating from 2020, the nursery was unable to resolve the issues raised and Ofsted withdrew their registration.

Mark Sutton, the cabinet member for Children and Young People at Staffordshire County Council, previously confirmed the council’s involvement in the investigation and advised parents to contact the council's Early Education and Childcare Team for alternative childcare arrangements.

The closure of Windmill Hill Day Nursery serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safeguarding standards in early years settings. The safety and wellbeing of children remain the paramount concern for authorities, and robust measures are necessary to uphold trust and compliance within the childcare sector.