Nursery's registration suspended over 'harm risk'

A nursery has had its registration suspended and a police investigation has been launched after Ofsted said children might be at risk of harm.

Watership Downs in Maldon, Essex, was closed on Friday because Ofsted had "reasonable belief that children may be at risk of harm," a spokeswoman for the education watchdog said.

The suspension would allow inquiries to be completed in relation to the concerns, but no further details could be shared at this stage, Ofsted added.

The BBC has tried to contact Watership Downs.

Essex Police confirmed that it was carrying out an investigation.

Watership Downs is the current provider of childcare and is legally responsible, but the BBC understands a different community interest company is in the process of setting up a nursery in the Poulton Close setting.

Watership Downs first registered with Ofsted in 2019 and has places for 44 children aged 0-4 years.

In 2024, Ofsted received a complaint that the provider was not meeting requirements relating to safety and suitability of premises, environment and equipment and safeguarding policies and procedures and ordered the setting to improve.

When inspectors visited Watership Downs in December 2025, they found the nursery was meeting the expected standards in all areas.

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