Parents in shock after rats and gun found at nursery
BBCParents have been left "appalled and heartbroken" after a gun was found by police during a raid on a day nursery in Greater Manchester.
The discovery followed the sudden closure of Mini Fingers nursery, in Irlam, Salford on Monday, after council inspectors discovered rats in the building. In an email, the nursery manager attributed the closure "to the recent events and the business struggling", adding she was "devastated".
On Wednesday, acting on intelligence, police raided the premises and found a firearm, along with a "substantial quantity" of ammunition. Two men were arrested on suspicion of drug offences.
One parent said the incident had "completely destroyed" her trust in nursery settings.
The men, one in his 30s and another in his 50s, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the pair were taken into custody for questioning.
One parent, speaking anonymously, said: "When the email about the closure came in, I thought it was just a financial issue at first.
"Then you start hearing more and more about what's been happening. It's really shocking."
The nursery was issued with a prohibition order by Salford Council's environmental health department on Friday, 2 October after inspectors discovered vermin in the Liverpool Road building.
The rats are believed to have entered the property via a collapsed drain underneath the baby room.
In her email to parents after the inspection, the nursery manager stated the rats "had managed to burrow their way into the main building".
The nursery surrendered its Ofsted registration earlier this week, according to Salford Council
"It does fill me with guilt," said Chloe Malpus, a local mum whose two-year-old son attended the nursery.
"Because you're handing your child into someone's care believing they'll be safe and well looked-after."
She added: "My kid will no longer be attending any kind of nursery setting ever again.
"It has completely destroyed my trust."
There is no suggestion from GMP that the gun uncovered at the premises is linked to nursery staff or management.
GMPAnother parent, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service her two-year-old had been attending the nursery since it opened in February.
She said she had been left out-of-pocket after making an advanced payment to the nursery immediately before it went bust.
"I've asked for a refund several times, but kept getting fobbed off and then ignored.
"I told them I need the money back so I can pay the new placement."
The council has been helping parents whose children were attending the nursery to find replacement childcare, including ensuring free nursery hours are transferred over to new nurseries.
"This will be a stressful and unsettling time for parents and carers. However, our officers are working with families to help them find alternative childcare provision in the community," a council spokesperson said, following Monday's closure.
But some parents have said they are unsure if they want to continue sending their children to a nursery.
One mum, Sophie, said: "I am absolutely appalled and heartbroken by what has now come to light.
"It's made me completely rethink everything and question whether my son was actually safe while he was there.
"I am honestly in disbelief."
The nursery manager was 'too upset' to comment.
A spokesperson for Mini Fingers said: "This matter is now subject to a police investigation and at this moment in time we are unable to comment any further."
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