Daffodils Nursery Limited v OFSTED

Facts

The appellant, Daffodils Nursery Limited, is a company whose sole director and nominated individual is Mr Ahmed. It has been registered with Ofsted as a provider of childcare on non-domestic premises since 16 June 2014, initially in respect of Daffodils Nursery in Smethwick, with Stepping Stone Nursery in Halesowen and Tulip Day Nursery in Bromwich added to the registration in 2021. Each setting had been rated "Good" at inspections in 2023. In November 2024 Ofsted received safeguarding concerns about the manager at Stepping Stone Nursery, and in April 2025 a whistleblower supplied CCTV footage of an assault on a child at Daffodils Nursery said to have occurred on 18 October 2024. Ofsted suspended all three settings, made a referral to the local authority designated officer, visited the settings and interviewed staff. A Position of Trust forum found allegations of direct harm to a child and of a poor safeguarding culture substantiated. A notice of intention to cancel was served on 24 July 2025, the appellant objected, an objections hearing was held, and on 1 October 2025 Ofsted served a notice of decision cancelling the registration under section 68 of the Childcare Act 2006. The appellant appealed under section 74 of the Childcare Act 2006.