Magistrates in Leicester issued a hygiene emergency prohibition order onthe city's First Steps Nursery after environmental health inspectorsfound 'extensive mouse activity in the kitchen, office, toy storage areaand toddlers' room'.
A similar order had been made in February this year.
Health inspector Alison Cadmore inspected the building on 5 August anddecided that there was an imminent risk to health if the kitchen wasallowed to continue preparing food.
She revisited the premises two days later and found that evidence ofmouse activity remained, despite a pest controller having been employed.She said she believed there was still an imminent risk to the health ofchildren eating there.
The order did not prevent the nursery from continuing to operate, but ithad to do so without the provision of food.
After the hearing, Ms Cadmore said, 'This is not the sort of standard wewould expect from this sort of premises, which cares for babies andtoddlers.'
The food-business operator at the nursery was on maternity leave, sheadded, and pest control had been allowed to lapse in her absence. Ofstedhad been informed of the situation.
The owner of the nursery, Laura Sheffield, was ordered to pay 861court costs. She did not attend the hearing.
The emergency order on First Steps was lifted after another inspectionon 12 August. Ms Cadmore said that there would now be furtherinspections in addition to the six-monthly checks.
