Pre-school staff left girl in toilet as classmates go out for a walk

2:03pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

By Simon Carr

A THREE-year-old girl was found wandering alone on a street after she was left in the toilets of her pre-school while her classmates went out for a walk.

An investigation has now been launched after Amber Blake was found crying and on her own on a Southampton road when she should have been in the care of her pre-school.

Mum Wendy Blake is demanding an explanation into what happened at Bitterne Community pre-school.

Wendy, 46, of Cunningham Crescent, Sholing, said: "She could have been run over or snatched, you trust a pre-school to make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen. I am disgusted.

She has now put in a complaint with Ofsted who yesterday confirmed that they are investigating the matter at the preschool that was criticised in their most recent report for having an unlocked front door.

After being left on her own Amber got out of the pre-school and had walked along Brownlow Avenue and along Peartree Avenue before she was found by a mum who was on her way to pick up her own child from the pre-school, 100 yards away.

Wendy said: "I just can't believe what has happened, thank goodness the other mum had arrived early or who knows what would have happened."

The Daily Echo contacted the pre-school, which is run by a voluntary management committee, but the manager refused to comment and abruptly hung up.

A spokesman for Southampton City Council, who fund the pre-school, said: "It is regrettable that this incident should have occurred and we will work closely with Bitterne Community preschool and support them to try and ensure that it doesn't happen again.

"The city council and the Pre-School Alliance will help the pre-school to address any causes for concern or areas for improvement highlighted by Ofsted.

An Ofsted spokesman told the Daily Echo: "We have received a complaint in relation to the incident that happened at Bitterne Community Pre-school and an investigation has been initiated.

"We will be in constant communication with all parties concerned and ensure that the inquiry will be carried out swiftly."

The 2007 Ofsted report into the school raised the fact the front door was unlocked as an issue of concern but rated the school's provision for keeping children safe good overall.

Wendy has not allowed her daughter to return to the pre-school since the incident.