A nursery for vulnerable children has shut suddenly while an investigation is carried out.

Parents of toddlers who attend the Action for Borstal Community (ABC) Project have been told it will not re-open until September.

The exact nature of the probe, which involves several agencies including the police, is not known at this stage.

The manager of the Mercury Close pre-school, which closed last Friday, has been suspended from her role.

Trustees’ chairman Stuart Tranter said: “We had some concerns regarding the management of the project, and unfortunately were not satisfied with the responses and this culminated in the suspension.

“All the staff, except one, were very new and unknown to the trustees.

“It is imperative the trustees have absolute confidence in all systems, so for that reason we decided to suspend the entire project until September, to give us time to check everything and relaunch properly.

“We are mindful of the disruption, but of course we cannot take any risks. In the long term we believe this is in the best interests of everyone.

“We are working very closely with the police, local authority and Ofsted, and look forward to providing a great service again as has been the case for over 20 years.”

Mr Tranter, a former Conservative Medway councillor, added: “All parents and others connected with the project should by now be aware, but if anyone needs to they can contact me.

“The trustees will be spending the time planning, and in due course more information will be made available regarding the reopening.”

The nursery, which has 28 children on the roll, was rated “good” by Ofsted at its last inspection in January.

Celia Buxton, Medway Council’s assistant director, education and SEND, said: “We are keen to ensure all the children have the opportunity to find a place for the coming months.

“Although ABC Nursery is a privately-run facility led by a board of trustees, we have worked quickly to establish there is some good availability in other nursery and child care providers within a 30-minute walking radius and the information is available through our family information service.

“We have provided the nursery with contact information for parents/carers to use to find alternative childcare arrangements and our own service can also be contacted.”

Ward councillor Alex Paterson (Lab) said: ”The unexpected, indefinite closure is a matter of great concern to me and families in Borstal.

‘We know how important ABC is to the community...’

”With my ward councillors, Cllr Linda Bowen and Cllr Paula Hamilton, along with the deputy council leader, Cllr Teresa Murray and indeed council officers, we stand ready to support families impacted by the closure.”

Cllr Murray added lots of families rely on the project and they were working with the council to ensure it continues.

She said: “We know how important ABC is to the community.”

KentOnline has made several attempts to contact the suspended manager, who we are not naming, for comment.

An Ofsted spokesman said it had been made aware of the closure.

The ABC Project is a registered charity offering a range of services to the community.

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