In an ever changing economic and regulatory landscape, providers of early years settings need to be able to access expert legal advice from lawyers who understand this sector and the needs of their clients.
Our specialist multi-disciplinary team of lawyers have a well proven track record in this sector, acting for a diverse range of providers, from single setting nurseries to some of the largest providers in the UK. We combine a strong regional presence with a UK wide practice, acting extensively for providers throughout the UK as well as Wales.
Our clients benefit from the strength and depth of this experience in all areas affecting their business, including acquisitions, property, contractual disputes, employment/HR issues and regulatory compliance and regulation.
One of our director’s Andrew Manners is a member of the NDNA’s Ofsted Working Group and has a national reputation for representing providers in disputes with Ofsted and CIW, including Judicial Review challenges. We are ranked a Top Tier practice by the Legal 500.
We support our clients with “added value” services such as free bespoke training, newsletters and legal updates as well as our First Response service providing legal advice and assistance in response to a critical incident, deploying a solicitor on site to support staff and secure evidence (subject to location).
Our Services include: Acquisitions and disposals; New builds; Refinancing portfolios; Restructuring and reorganisation; Joint ventures; contentious and non-contentious Employment and HR services; Regulatory enforcement including prosecutions and challenges to inspection judgments; Construction; IP licensing and Dispute resolution.
Recent examples of such cases include:
- Representing a large chain of Day Nurseries in SE England in a joint Police and Ofsted investigation following the arrest of a staff member for possession of indecent images. This included crisis and media management.
- Representing a provider in a joint Police and Ofsted investigation following unexplained injuries to children which included appealing a Suspension of Registration before the Care Standards Tribunal and dealing with a criminal investigation. Registration reinstated, nursery reopened and no charges against the Providers or Manager.
- Representing a provider in Employment Tribunal proceedings in a constructive unfair dismissal claim brought by a former manager.
- Acting for one of the largest providers in the UK in challenging Ofsted following the downgrading of a setting following a concerns driven inspection and conducting Judicial Review litigation eventually resulting in a further inspection and an “outstanding” judgment.
