Police inquiry at two York nurseries

Police are investigating how children were looked after at two private nurseries in York. York council said "the quality of care and welfare" of children at Little Joes in Fishergate and Heworth House in Melrosegate was being investigated. The joint inquiry involves police, the council and Ofsted and is in the "very early stages", a statement said. Parents of youngsters who attend the nurseries have been informed that an investigation was being carried out. In a statement City of York Council said: "Ofsted, the City of York Council's Safeguarding Children Board and North Yorkshire Police are carrying out joint inquiries into the running of two privately-owned nurseries in York, Little Joes in Fishergate and Heworth House in Melrosegate. "The inquiries relate to the running of the nurseries, the quality of care and the welfare of children who attend the nurseries. "City of York Council has written to all parents whose children currently attend the nurseries, to inform them of the inquiry and to assure them that they will kept fully informed of all developments." Parents can call City of York Council's Family Information Service, which is available between 08:30 and 17:00 on 01904 554444. The statement continued: "The inquiry is in the very early stages and it is therefore not appropriate to comment further at this stage."