DEVON and Cornwall Police have confirmed that they are currently investigating allegations relating to 'safeguarding concerns' at Grafton Childcare in Newton Abbot.

They also revealed that one person has been arrested in connection to the investigation, and has since been released on bail with conditions until Wednesday, August 9. The Police did not confirm the identity of whom has been arrested.

The police investigation follows last week's blistering Ofsted report of Grafton, in which the childcare provider was rated 'Inadequate' in every measure.

Inadequate is the lowest Ofsted rating possible, and means that serious improvements must be made to remain registered.

Since the report, Grafton Childcare has since closed its doors for good. Grafton had been running for 32 years, and its owner and founder Denise Tupman admitted last month that the inspection was one of the factors behind her decision to close the setting down.

Denise stated: 'The ridiculous hoops I must jump through have made it impossible to continue to provide the childcare I have been so very very very proud and honoured to do for the past 32 years.'

The report, detailing a surprise inspection that took place on April 25, found that children’s: ‘health, care and learning and developmental needs are not met.’

The two inspectors that attended, reported that: ‘Children are not supported to build secure emotional bonds or nurturing relationships with their key persons and the staff team.

‘Frequently, the provider and staff do not offer any comfort or reassurance or acknowledge children when they are upset and crying.’

The inspectors found that the staff and the provider were not ‘sensitive and respectful towards the children,’ and that ‘the provider and staff do not build warm and caring bonds with children.’

For instance, they found that children were woken from their nap at the same time by opening the blinds and collecting the sleep mats, and they leave the children to sit and come around from their sleep by themselves without any comfort.

‘Staff instruct children who are upset to get a flannel and wipe their faces to dry their tears, rather than offering reassurance and consolation.’

At one point in the inspection, the inspectors themselves had to soothe crying children that were not being attended to.

Toddlers were found to be ‘placed in cots for naps and left to cry in distress for long periods.’

You can read the rest of the report here.

Police added: 'Anyone with any information, or has concerns over this message is asked to contact 101 quoting case reference 50230124535.'

Grafton Childcare has been approached for comment.