Oldham nursery fined after mouse droppings found on bibs

In November last year, an environmental health officer carried out a routine hygiene inspection at Cornerhouse Day Nursery Ltd on Cross Street in Lees.

The inspector made a grim discovery of mouse droppings "throughout the premises", including on top of open bags of pasta, on bibs, in boxes of children's cups and bottles, on work surfaces and in the children's playrooms.

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Mouse droppings in children's bibs (Image: OMBC)

As well as the droppings, the floor, oven and microwave were also deemed dirty, and holes were discovered in the back of kitchen cupboards that had not been pest-proofed.

Following the inspection, the directors voluntarily agreed to close for two days to clean up.

Cornerhouse Day Nursery was then issued with a zero food hygiene rating meaning urgent improvement was necessary.

An inspector found surfaces in the kitchen were dirty (Image: OMBC)

A further inspection a few days later found standards had improved, allowing the nursery to reopen.

However, due to the seriousness of the issues discovered in the first visit, legal proceedings were launched by Oldham Council.

An Ofsted inspection also said the nursery 'required improvement' in the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management around the same time.

Cornerhouse Day Nursery has since reopened after the event (Image: Google Maps)

Ofsted said the nursery had failed to notify the education watchdog of the 48-hour closure and stripped the nursery of its long-standing 'good' grade.

A follow-up inspection carried out almost a year later in October this year said the nursery had "worked hard" and restored its 'good' rating in all key areas.

After pleading guilty to two charges under Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations, the directors and company were sentenced at Tameside Magistrates Court on November 22.

Mouse droppings in pasta (Image: OMBC)

Cornerhouse Day Nursery Ltd was fined a total of £2,000 with costs of £1,087 and a victim surcharge of £800.

Alison O'Reilly was fined £380, with £350 costs and a victim surcharge of £152.

Her fellow director, Sadie Parsons, was also fined £461, with £350 costs and a victim surcharge of £184.

Councillor Chris Goodwin, whose Don’t Trash Oldham Cabinet portfolio includes food hygiene enforcement, said: “The safety of our residents and their children is a priority for this administration.

"This nursery previously had a five-star rating for food hygiene and safety.

Cupboards had not been pest-proofed (Image: OMBC)

“So, it’s really disappointing that they let standards fall so much.

“The building was very unclean and we’d have been failing in our duties, especially to the children and their parents, if we hadn’t taken action.

"The business is continuing to make improvements and that’s good.

“We want to see businesses doing well and if you are struggling, please get in touch with our food safety team as they are here to help.”