‘Nursery children strapped to chairs’

YOUNG children were strapped to chairs by nursery staff to manage behaviour and CCTV cameras were not working, a report from inspectors has revealed.

Selina Thomas, owner and registered person in charge at Nightingales Pre School in Albert Crescent, Penarth, failed to safeguard and promote welfare of the children, the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales found.

Issuing non-compliance notices regarding management and managing behaviour, CSSIW inspectors said: “Some behaviour management strategies used are inappropriate and involve excessive control and restraint. Children are not always therefore treated with dignity and respect.”

CSSIW inspectors were told during an unannounced visit in August this year that safety straps were used inappropriately.

“During the inspection we were told by three members of staff that ‘Clippasafe straps’ are regularly used as a way of restricting children’s movement during some activities.

“We were told by the senior room leader in the 18-months to three-year-olds room that ‘Clippasafe’ straps have been used to keep children on chairs during meal times, and to stop them from running around.

“A second member of staff confirmed that the ‘strap’ is used to hold children in chairs if they won’t sit still during circle time. We were told by this member of staff that the ‘strap’ is also used if children won’t sit on the mat for time out.

“This member of staff also told us that children are warned that the strap will be used if they don’t sit still and when they calm down they will be let out.

“A third member of staff told us when asked how children respond to the ‘strap’ that they are used to it.”

When inspectors spoke to Mrs Thomas about these methods she said she did not know they were being used, the document adds.

CCTV cameras were also not working at the nursery, which currently cares for children aged between six weeks and eight years.

Although inspectors found children interact well and “are generally well settled and are happy at the nursery”, they found that Mrs Thomas’ “lack of management oversight is impacting on children’s well-being”.

Mrs Thomas was not available for comment when contacted. But her husband, Paul Thomas, said she “completely disputed” the report’s findings.

“We have never used the safety straps for anything other than the intended purpose,” he said.

“We are making a complaint to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales about the report.”