A NURSERY could have its registration withdrawn after a damning report from Ofsted.

The Government watchdog is taking steps to remove the registration of Abtim Childcare Services, in Bridge Road, Grays, after discovering it had been provided with false information about a director’s qualifications and that the provider had failed to plead guilty to three offences.

It also found a driver with just a provisional licence had been transporting children.

The report said: “We carried out an unannounced visit to the provider and inspected documentation supplied by other agencies.

“We found the provider failed to admit to pleading guilty to three offences, did not provide truthful information regarding their role as a director or their level of qualification, used literature that is a direct copy from another provider, returned a form with an invalid signature and failed to manage the safe recruitment of suitable individuals.

“A driver stated when interviewed under caution that he was allowed to transport children on a provisional licence.”

It added: “Ofsted was provided with false and misleading information which puts children’s welfare at risk.

“The provider has failed to demonstrate she has a clear understanding of her responsibilities as a registered provider and in failing to do this we cannot be reassured children are safeguarded.”

When inspectors visited the nursery, based in the Spring of Life Chapel, it found the provider “did not ensure adults looking after children, or having unsupervised access to them, are suitable to do so” by getting enhanced Criminal Record Bureau checks.

The report added: “We are taking steps to cancel the provider’s registration. However, the provider has a right to object to our intention to take the step.”

Thurrock Council said it is working with Ofsted.

A spokesman for the authority said: “Thurrock Council will continue to work with Ofsted to address its concerns over Abtim Childcare.

“It is for Ofsted to investigate all complaints and to assess the continued registration of Abtim.”

There was no answer at Abtim Childcare Services when the Gazette phoned for a statement.