Nursery worker Rebecca Gregory has been jailed for three years after a “harrowing” investigation into neglect at Tiny Toes Nursery in Stockport.

Gregory, aged 25, pleaded guilty to four counts of wilfully assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, abandoning, or exposing a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering.

She was arrested at home last November after evidence came to light during an ongoing investigation into a nursery worker and colleague at Tiny Toes Nursery.

Kate Roughley, who worked at the same nursery, was jailed for 14 years earlier this year for the manslaughter of nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan.

Gregory was witnessed on CCTV verbally abusing and mishandling children, pushing a child’s head down, roughly placing a child on the floor, and threatening to kick a child in the head.

On one occasion, she swaddled a child so tightly that he couldn’t move. Seeing the child was visibly distressed, she forced his head down, preventing him from moving.

On another occasion, she swaddled a child tightly, telling him to ‘f***ing go home.’

When presented with CCTV evidence in her interview, Gregory admitted her actions against the children, claiming the nursery was understaffed. She had worked at the setting for seven years.

Detective Constable Natalie Pettit, of Greater Manchester Police, said Gregory “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,” she said. “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.”

Karen Tongue, specialist prosecutor for Crown Prosecution Service North West, said: “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.”

She added: “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.”