No more details about the reasons for the investigation at the nursery have been disclosed, except that it is the result of an allegation made relating to the setting.
However, a spokesperson for the nursery group confirmed that none of the nursery staff were suspects and have been cleared by police of any wrongdoing.
The nursery staff remain employed by Active Learning and are able to work at other nurseries within the group or in other early years settings.
In a statement the nursery said, 'Ofsted has temporarily withdrawn the nursery’s registration due to an ongoing police investigation related to a child who attends part-time.
'The police have now concluded interviews with our staff and have informed us that there are no suspects within the nursery, however Ofsted has decided – for reasons it has not yet communicated to us – to suspend our registration.
'While safeguarding of children is at the heart of everything we stand for, we believe this decision is overcautious in the extreme and Ofsted is acting in the face of natural justice by suspending the licence before carrying out its own investigation.
'All staff remain employed by Active Learning and Ofsted has informed us that they are free to work within our other nurseries and, indeed, elsewhere within the industry or privately.
'We recognise the disruption currently caused to parents and their children and we are working closely with them to secure alternative childcare arrangements during the temporary suspension.
'Ofsted has commenced its investigation this afternoon and we would urge it to report its findings as soon as possible.'
Police said no arrests have been made but that there was an ongoing investigation at a nursery in Kingston following an allegation.
The nursery closed on Wednesday 23 July after Ofsted temporarily suspended the nursery’s registration.
An Ofsted spokesperson said, ‘We can confirm that Ofsted is liaising with the relevant agencies whilst conducting its own investigation. The nursery will remain suspended, as is standard procedure, while this is carried out.’
Active Learning operates eight nurseries in London and one in Dorking, Surrey. In April, the group's Crouch End nursery was subject to an enforcement notice from Ofsted after a child went home with the 'wrong adult'. The nursery has just had its 'good' grade restored after reinspection.
A council spokesperson said, ‘Kingston Council has been informed by Ofsted that it has temporarily suspended the registration of the Active Learning nursery, Victoria Road, Kingston as Ofsted has received concerns of a safeguarding nature, which it needs time to investigate.’
- The council said it would help families to find alternative childcare. Kingston’s Family Information Service can be contacted on 020 8547 5215. Anyone who has a concern of a safeguarding nature should contact Kingston’s Single Point of Access team on 020 8547 5008.
