Dorset nursery worker arrested over child sex claim

About 50 parents attended a meeting at the nursery on Monday night

A nursery worker from Dorset has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a child under the age of 13.

Police said the incident is alleged to have happened at a house in Poole, not the Down in the Woods nursery in Merley where the woman works.

Officers have searched the nursery, which will remain closed on Tuesday.

The woman was arrested on Sunday and bailed. Borough councillor David Brown said about 50 parents attended a meeting at the nursery on Monday night.

The member for Merley and Bearwood said: "Staff, police and the council all met last night to update the parents with what was happening with the investigation.

'Speaking with witnesses'

"It was a very calm and well-mannered meeting.

"People had questions and the police did very well in answering them.

"The council have been offering childcare support while the nursery is shut."

The nursery has been searched and will remain closed

The private nursery was opened in 2003 and re-registered under sole ownership four years later, according to an Ofsted inspection carried out in September 2007.

At the time, the report said 53 children were registered on the nursery's books and its services were graded as good or outstanding in all categories, including organisation and the safety of children.

Parents are being updated as to when the site will reopen.

Police said they were also working with the local primary care trust.

A police spokesman said: "The safety of children is Dorset Police's top priority.

"Police officers are speaking with witnesses as part of this investigation.

"Dorset Police and the Borough of Poole Council are duty bound to safeguard all children and therefore close the nursery while these urgent inquiries take place."

A spokeswoman for Poole Council said the authority was "co-operating fully with the police inquiry" but declined to comment further.