Poppies Marlow Day Nursery & Pre-School, located on Crown Road, Marlow, has been shut down following several complaints that prompted an investigation by Ofsted.

The nursery, which had been operational since 2010, catered to up to 84 children. Despite a “good” rating in May 2023, incidents in July and August 2023 involving unattended children raised serious concerns. After a regulatory visit in November 2023, Ofsted found the nursery was not meeting all requirements and issued a welfare requirements notice.

Consequently, the provider chose to close the facility. A new nursery, Little Garden The Marlow Riley Park Day Nursery and Pre-School, is set to open in the same location in Autumn 2024.

In a rather unsettling turn of events, the beloved Poppies Marlow Day Nursery & Pre-School has shut its doors. This closure comes after a series of complaints led to an Ofsted investigation that revealed significant lapses in child supervision and care. Established in 2010, Poppies had built a reputation as a reliable childcare provider, but recent incidents have cast a shadow over its legacy. The closure has left many parents scrambling for alternatives while the new facility, Little Garden The Marlow Riley Park Day Nursery and Pre-School, promises a fresh start under new management.

I. Background and Initial Success

Poppies Marlow Day Nursery & Pre-School was a well-regarded establishment in Crown Road, Marlow, offering comprehensive daycare services for children aged from infancy to pre-school. The nursery opened its doors in 2010 and quickly gained popularity for its robust childcare programs, which included a wide array of activities designed to foster early childhood development. Operating 51 weeks a year, except for bank holidays, Poppies provided a crucial service to working parents in the community.

II. Incidents Leading to Complaints

The first hint of trouble surfaced on July 27, 2023, when Ofsted was notified about an incident where a child was left seated and unattended for an extended period. Just weeks later, on August 7, another incident occurred involving a child being left unattended in the garden. These events were particularly alarming because they highlighted a pattern of neglect rather than isolated mistakes. The legal responsibility to report these significant events, as set out in the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage, was met by the provider. However, it was evident that more systemic issues were at play.

III. Ofsted’s Intervention

Ofsted received a third complaint on October 18, 2023, this time concerning a staff member’s conduct. This triggered a regulatory visit on November 7, 2023. During this visit, inspectors found that the nursery was not meeting certain welfare requirements. Consequently, Ofsted issued a welfare requirements notice, a formal demand for the provider to rectify the identified issues within a specified timeframe. The findings were a significant blow to the nursery’s reputation and operational standing.

IV. Closure and Aftermath

Facing mounting pressure and a tarnished reputation, the provider decided to close Poppies Marlow Day Nursery & Pre-School at the end of 2023. This decision, while disappointing to many families who had relied on the nursery, was perhaps inevitable given the severity of the incidents and the subsequent findings of non-compliance by Ofsted.

V. The New Beginning

In a bid to turn the page, a new nursery named Little Garden The Marlow Riley Park Day Nursery and Pre-School is set to open in Autumn 2024. This new facility will operate from a converted Salvation Army church, bringing a fresh start to early childhood education in the area. The new nursery promises a range of updated facilities and a renewed focus on safety and child development. CCTV installations, healthier meal plans certified by dieticians, and a plethora of extracurricular activities are some of the features that parents can look forward to.

A spokesperson for the previous nursery, now under new management, stated: “The nursery is temporarily closed and will reopen later this year. We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused and we look forward to welcoming our families back. The nursery is currently undergoing refurbishment and we are introducing a fresh approach to ensure that our children have the best start in life.”

The closure of Poppies Marlow Day Nursery & Pre-School has been a significant event for the Marlow community. Triggered by serious complaints and subsequent Ofsted interventions, the shutdown underscores the importance of stringent safety and care standards in early childhood education. The emergence of Little Garden The Marlow Riley Park Day Nursery and Pre-School represents a new chapter, offering hope for improved childcare services. This new facility aims to rectify past issues and provide a safe, nurturing environment for children.

“The safety and well-being of children must always be the top priority. The incidents at Poppies Marlow are a stark reminder of this fundamental principle.” – Ofsted Inspector

For more information on the new nursery and to book a visit, please visit the Little Garden The Marlow Riley Park Day Nursery and Pre-School website.