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Pokémon 'no go' for nurseries?

Nurseries concerned about becoming battle or training grounds for Pokémon Go gamers have been issued advice by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) following problems at a childcare centre in the USA.

Strangers were increasingly lurking around the Little Blessings Childcare Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, following it becoming a ‘gym’ in the popular augmented reality game.

A spokeswoman for the NDNA said it is ‘only a matter of time’ before childcare settings in the UK experience similar problems, with community centres and local landmarks often being allocated as ‘Gyms’ and PokéStops where players can catch Pokémon, collect Poke Balls and other items.

Users were being drawn to the setting and caused a safeguarding concern for a few weeks until the site was removed from the game.   

Jo Baranek, NDNA lead early years advisor, said, ‘Pokémon Go has clearly got its good points, in that it’s getting people out and physically active. But if people are hanging around outside nurseries this presents a safeguarding issue.

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