The reporter also registered with Ofsted as a childminder.The allegations made by Imogen Willcocks, 21, who worked undercover for eight months despite having no previous childcare experience, were broadcast on BBC One's Whistleblower programme (Wednesday 5 February, 8pm).
Ms Willcocks claims nurseries failed to check her references or if she had a criminal record.
She also said that the settings did not offer adequate training to deal with emergencies and ignored basic safety advice.
The BBC investigation was prompted by an Ofsted inspector who phoned the Whistleblower programme and allegedly told them that Ofsted inspection reports 'aren't worth the paper they're printed on'.
The inspector is quoted as saying, 'We are literally skimming the surface. If you don't see a problem, don't look for one. Take a quick look and get out. The number one priority for all Ofsted inspectors is to meet their targets. Because if they don't, they are disciplined. Targets take priority over safeguarding children.'
The inspector is also said to have claimed that, out of 700 nurseries she and colleagues had inspected, she had found only five that she would have let her own children attend.
The reporter's allegations about Just Learning nursery in Cambourne, where a ten-month-old baby died in April 2006, led to its closure last month.(News, 28 February). Ms Willcocks also worked at Buttons nursery in West London, where she allegedly found pieces of glass in the garden, was left in sole charge of 13 children on several occasions and was paid only £100 per week, half the minimum wage.
While working at a Mark Warner resort in Dahab, Egypt, Ms Willcocks says that she was asked to supervise young children on a sailing trip, but was not given enough protective helmets. She also alleges that Mark Warner failed to provide staff with work permits and that she was told to lie to the authorities and say she was there on holiday.
For the final part of the investigation, Ms Willcocks said she registered with Ofsted as a childminder by borrowing a house and applying for registration. The house had no fireguard, no first aid kit, no stairgates, safety glass or socket covers. However, her application for registration was approved.
In response to the programme's allegations Ofsted has accused the BBC of misrepresenting Ofsted's role and criticised the BBC for broadcasting a programme that included 'factual inaccuracies'.
Whistleblower can be viewed on BBC iPlayer www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/. For more on this story, see Nursery World 13 March
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TV programme uncovers nursery failings
A documentary shown on BBC1 on 5 March revealed serious breaches of care and bad practice after an undercover reporter was able to work at three childcare settings without CRB or reference checks.
