Obtaining Information

[kalanchoe81]

My child was found wandering by a stranger when he should have been in preschool. I received emails from the preschool stating they were working with Ofsted and the local authority to conduct an internal inquiry, (of which they said I would receive a written copy of the outcome.) The last email I had said the inquiry was complete. Then the preschool promptly closed and went into liquidation. I messaged one of the Directors to ask for the outcome, but heard nothing. I called the local authority and they contacted the Directors of the preschool and asked them to get in touch with me, when the Chairman of Directors of the preschool finally called me he told me the information was with their business recovery company. I called the business recovery company and the lady handling their affairs told me she didn't have it, she called the Chairman of Directors on my behalf and his response to her was to say he had no legal obligation to give me the inquiry outcome/report.

[Berniethebolt]

Re: Obtaining Information

Silly question but have you contacted ofsted?

It is appalling that they let a pre school age child out of the building by them selves

[Kati]

Re: Obtaining Information

I agree ... contacting Ofsted is a good idea :nod:
Your local MP might have more luck getting the results too

You could also try a SAR request to the local Education Authority (or possibly the Chairman of Directors for the pre-school)?

[Sparkie1723]

Re: Obtaining Information

Make the Director aware IN WRITING of the consequences of failing to supply you with information under section 3 Of the New FRAUD ACT 2006 AND THAT HE COULD FACE A JAIL SENTENCE IF HE STILL REFUSES.
Deliberately failing to supply information you are legally entitled to is an Act to commit Fraud
Sparkie

[kalanchoe81]

Re: Obtaining Information

Ofsted could tell me nothing as the preschool was already unregistered with them. Is SAR subject access request? do I send it to the business recovery company as well as the Chairman of Directors? I don't even know if they would have been obligated to have an inquiry...should I try to access the safeguarding procedures?

[Kati]

Re: Obtaining Information

yes ... SAR = subject access request :nod: - there's a maximum fee of £10 for it (usually paid via postal order / cheque)

I'm not sure who you'd end it to, although if the local Education Authority were involved in the inquiry they should hold the results. Personally, I would be going to my MP and getting them to request the local authority hand them over

[Berniethebolt]

Re: Obtaining Information

I really do not wish to sound harsh as I know most parents do their very best for their kids BUT this must be a lesson as to why using an unregistered childcare organisation is not a good idea.

I do however worry about the nanny state and the need for more and more people to be registered but this was a company with directors etc rather than Mrs Jones who cares for a few kids at her home and you have known for 20 years

I suspect that Ofsted forced their closure but it does seem odd that they called Ofsted in to help conduct the enquiry if they were unregistered.

[Kati]

Re: Obtaining Information

I really do not wish to sound harsh as I know most parents do their very best for their kids BUT this must be a lesson as to why using an unregistered childcare organisation is not a good idea.

I do however worry about the nanny state and the need for more and more people to be registered but this was a company with directors etc rather than Mrs Jones who cares for a few kids at her home and you have known for 20 years

I suspect that Ofsted forced their closure but it does seem odd that they called Ofsted in to help conduct the enquiry if they were unregistered.

I think that they were registered with ofsted before the liquidation BtB (that's how I read it anyway :noidea in which case ofsted would have been involved in any investigation. Ofsted saying they cannot help would therefore (if I am right) be due to the fact that the pre-school is now unregistered due to its liquidation.

[Berniethebolt]

Re: Obtaining Information

Thanks for clearing that up Kati

It was hard to find words that didn't appear judgemental and that is not what I wanted to be ( you know I am quite capable of being blunt at time but this wasn't one of those)

[kalanchoe81]

Re: Obtaining Information

They were registered with Ofsted when my children were attending. I was advised to send my son to this preschool so he could get the extra help he needed.

[Berniethebolt]

Re: Obtaining Information

Thanks kalanchoe kinda makes me feel better although it almost makes their crime and offsides failure even worse

[User58]

Re: Obtaining Information

Even if this Preschool has closed they have a legal obligation to keep all records (including accident / incident books, Insurance certificates) for a period of over 21 years and should be available on request. Schools have to keep them for that long because a child can claim in their own right once they come of age but there are also other factors taken into account ie. an accident has a long term affect on a child.

Were there funded places at the preschool? If yes then they have to be registered with the Local Authority and Ofsted.

[User58]

Re: Obtaining Information

You could also try the government Learning Alliance: https://www.pre-school.org.uk/
They have support advisers who should be able to point you in the right direction.
Good luck in getting the answers you need.

[kalanchoe81]

Re: Obtaining Information

Thank you to you all. I've posted a SAR, so will have to wait and see. Thanks

[kalanchoe81]

Re: Obtaining Information

It's been nearly 40 days and all I have received is a letter from the liquidator saying they've been trying to reach the ICO. What can I do next?