Nursery worker jailed for ill-treating children in her care

A nursery worker from Stockport has been jailed after ill-treating four children in her care.

Rebecca Gregory, 25, was sentenced on 2 September 2024 to three years in prison after pleading guilty to offences against four children up to 12 months old, at an earlier hearing.

The baby room where Gregory worked at Tiny Toes in Stockport was covered by CCTV which was seized by the police as part of the investigation.

The CCTV footage from the baby room on Tuesday 26 April 2022 recorded Gregory saying, “You want me to knock you out?” as she was heavy handed with a crying baby as they struggled against the blanket she had bundled them too tightly in.

Later that morning she swaddled a second crying child and said: “Oh my god, I’m actually going to kick him in a minute”, before pushing them over. Later that day she placed the same child in a cot too heavily.

The footage showed Gregory placing a third swaddled baby in a cot roughly and told them to ‘Shut up’. Later, she pushed that same child over.

The fourth child was forcefully put into a highchair before she put a dummy into their mouth saying: “Put that in your gob and shut up.”

Thankfully none of the children suffered any visible injuries as a result of Gregory’s actions.

Gregory admitted the offences in her police interview and went on to plead guilty at the first hearing before Stockport Magistrates' Court on 5 August 2024.

She was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on 2 September 2024.

Karen Tongue, Specialist Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “Rebecca Gregory was entrusted with the care of the youngest children in the nursery where she had worked for seven years.

“The CCTV footage from the nursery’s baby room showed several instances of Gregory ill-treating four young children in her care.

“The way she spoke to them was truly appalling and I have been shocked and saddened by the wilful ill-treatment of the children.

“Parents should be able to place their children in nursery knowing they will be nurtured and cared for. Cases such as this damage the trust between parents and carers.

“Gregory must now face the consequences of her actions.”

Detective Constable Natalie Pettit from Greater Manchester Police's Stockport district, said: “Anyone who hears the details of this investigation cannot fail to be sickened by the careless actions of Rebecca Gregory.

"She knew her actions fell far beyond the correct professional standards but failed to take any reasonable steps to protect these children.

“This was a harrowing investigation which uncovered several unacceptable behaviours and practices at Tiny Toes Nursery. It was clear to see that there was a culture of not challenging inappropriate behaviour which ultimately placed several children who were under their care at risk of serious harm.

“We worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to build a strong case, and following a comprehensive investigation, we are pleased that Gregory will now have to face the consequences of her actions.”