BBC England Investigations
There have been almost 20,000 reports of serious childcare incidents in nurseries in England in the past five years, the BBC has found.
That is an average of about 75 “significant events” reported to Ofsted each week – including incidents of serious injury or significant harm. There have even been rare cases involving deaths.
The latest figures for serious incidents in the year 2023-24 are 40% higher than five years previously.
Ofsted – which inspects England’s education providers – says the rise may, in part, be due to its increased efforts to ensure nurseries report such events.
Industry body, the Early Years Alliance, says most providers prioritise safety and that safeguarding breaches are extremely rare.
But the parents of a baby killed by a nursery worker in…
