Nursery given 'window of opportunity' to improve issues

But it's believed Puddleducks will shut its doors for good

Puddleducks Nursery in Douglas has been given a ‘window of opportunity’ to improve issues identified during a recent inspection.

But it’s believed the failing nursery will close its doors permanently at the end of September.

A review by the Department of Health and Social Care’s Registration and Inspection Team found the safety of children in the care of Puddleducks was at risk.

An inspector, who reviewed the facility in August on a two-day announced visit, looked at five aspects of the nursery - asking whether it’s safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

In all five areas the service was found to be failing.

You can find out more HERE.

The findings of the inspection were escalated to the Head of the Registration and Inspection Team.

MHK Joney Faragher is the chair of the Quality and Safety Committee.

She’s told Manx Radio: “These annual inspections are undertaken in order to protect the children, their parents and the businesses that provide these vital services on the Isle of Man.

“The department has recently transitioned to a new and more robust regulatory methodology and this inspection is an excellent example of how this will bring high standards in all areas, including safeguarding, staffing and procedures.

“In terms of what comes next it is important that service providers know that this process can be a learning one and Puddleducks is now given a window of opportunity to improve upon the issues discussed with staff during the inspection.

“I’d also like to reassure parents that, in the event of genuine safety concerns for children in a nursery setting, the department can and will use its regulatory powers to deregister a service. That is not the point we are at.”

However a letter has reportedly been sent to Puddleducks’ attendees which signals the nursery’s intention to close permanently from 30 September.

The document, which has been shared on social media, is dated yesterday and has apparently been penned by David and Lesley Murray who say the decision has been reached with ‘the greatest of sadness’.

Headed as an ‘important notice’ for parents it states: “We are extremely disappointed with our performance in light of our recent inspection and would like to apologise to the families using the service.”

They say they’ve run the nursery for 15 years, in line with all the standards, and very rarely did they receive criticism from Registrations and Inspections concerning the running of the facility.

The letter adds that the last full inspection, in January 2022, had no recommendations attached to it.

However the letter goes on to say: “Although Registrations and Inspections have granted the organisation six months to put the issues right it is with a heavy heart that we have now come to the realistic conclusion that we should close.”

Manx Radio has contacted the nursery directly and has also invited Puddleducks’ parent company Adorn Domiciliary Care to respond.