AN investigation has been held into how two children were able to walk out of a nursery unnoticed.

The incident happened at the Brambly Hedge Day Nursery, in Crosby Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, in September.

Education watchdog Ofsted confirmed the incident had taken place after it was reported to The Northern Echo by a member of the public.

Ofsted said it made an unannounced visit to the nursery on September 15.

A statement said: “The provider confirmed that the back door and the main gate of the setting had been left open when children had returned to the setting and two children had left the premises unsupervised. Following our visit, we sent the provider a notice to improve that asked them to ensure that children do not leave the premises unsupervised.”

The incident happened despite the nursery’s submission to Ofsted in July that some staff needed “additional training in safeguarding children”.

An Ofsted spokesman said: “Ofsted carried out an unannounced inspection of the setting and set an action for it to ensure compliance with the early foundation stage welfare requirements.

“The provider has taken action to meet the notice to improve.”

Tarek Ghouri, a business advisor to the nursery and partner of its owner, Sue Quincey, said he was in discussion with Ofsted regarding the content of its reports.

He said: “We are currently taking action against Ofsted due to the content of that complaint being wholly inaccurate and therefore open to the incorrect interpretation.

“On Friday, we have also taken legal action against an ex-parent who owes the nursery outstanding nursery fees and whom it seems has commenced a campaign of hatred in an attempt to cause the business harm in revenge.”

He said “comments and untrue statements” had been published with “malicious intent” on the Facebook website.