Canterbury College has apologised after it failed to tell the education watchdog of a serious complaint made about a member of its nursery staff.

Ofsted inspectors were called into the nursery after learning the college had investigated an allegation that the staff member was unsuitable to work with children.

The college launched the probe following an incident in May and found the claim about the employee’s conduct to be unsubstantiated, but did not notify Ofsted.

Inspectors were made aware by a third party on July 19 and five weeks later made an unannounced visit to the nursery in New Dover Road.

They too ruled there was “no evidence to substantiate the concerns relating to the individual”, but said the college should have notified them of a “significant event”.

College spokesman Jamie Weir said: “The visit found there were no concerns relating to an individual who had been investigated following an allegation into their conduct in May.

“The alleged incident was fully and thoroughly investigated internally at the time, and Ofsted found this to have been the case.

“However, the recent visit highlighted that the nursery should have reported the matter to Ofsted at the time the investigation took place.

“The nursery would like to apologise unreservedly for not having done so.

“As a consequence of this advice the nursery has received a written warning letter stating it should have notified Ofsted.”

The college says the nursery has kept parents informed, but it refused to go into detail about the exact nature of the allegation.

Ofsted says it related to the employee’s suitability.

The watchdog’s official report into the complaint states: “We received a complaint, which raised concerns about an individual looking after children on the premises.

“We initially liaised with outside agencies and established the provider had failed to meet their legal responsibility to inform Ofsted of a significant event, which is likely to affect the suitability of any person who is in regular contact with children on the premises where childcare is provided.

“On August 24, 2016 we carried out an unannounced visit to the setting.

“At the visit, we sampled documentation and held discussions with leaders and managers. We found that the concerns had been investigated by the provider and there was no evidence to substantiate the concerns relating to the individual.

“Following the visit, we sent the provider a warning letter regarding the failure to notify Ofsted of a significant event.”