Toddler injured at Brent nursery amid drug dealer and squatter issues

A three-year-old girl sustained a head injury at Granville Plus Nursery School in South Kilburn when a piece of door frame detached and fell on her. The incident occurred last year, according to nursery staff, who reported the issue to the builders responsible for the site's refurbishment.

The nursery, located on Granville Road, had undergone refurbishment as part of a wider redevelopment of community centres. However, since staff and children moved back into the building in March 2025, a series of problems have emerged, described by one staff member as making the refurbishment feel "shoddy".

Falling debris and alleged drug dealing

The incident involving the three-year-old occurred when a large piece of fibre board, intended as a pelmet over a sliding door, fell. It had been attached to the wall using clips that came loose. Nursery staff reported the injury, which required a visit to A&E, to the builders. They claim they received no apology and were told the children had been "swinging" on the pelmet, despite it being out of reach.

Further safety concerns arose earlier this year when individuals allegedly occupied the nursery's basement plant room. Staff reported that drug dealers were operating from this area, leading to parents expressing fears for their children's safety. The basement was described as having an "awful" smell, with waste including faeces left for months.

Staff reported these issues to Brent Council. The council stated it was involved in removing squatters and connecting them with outreach workers. However, nursery staff claim this action followed police intervention and that the subsequent clean-up of the basement has been a lengthy process, requiring specialist teams.

Playground concerns and council response

The nursery playground was also affected by the redevelopment. Following the refurbishment, a section returned for use by the children was found covered in small stones. Staff deemed this area unusable due to the risk of young children swallowing the stones, and the cost of clearing it was to be shared by Brent Council and the nursery.

A spokesperson for Brent Council acknowledged the ongoing construction and stated that the council had worked closely with the nursery to address concerns. "The safety and wellbeing of children and staff remains our top priority," the spokesperson said. "We will continue working with the nursery and developers on site to ensure that everyone has access to a safe and welcoming environment."