A NURSERY where youngsters who attended suffered "unexplained fractures" has had its licence suspended again.

Rocking Horse Nursery in Plumtree was closed by Ofsted on Friday, September 4, after injuries to three young children.

Ofsted had suspended the licence until October 15, then from October 15 to November 24, before extending the suspension this week for a further six weeks.

So far nine people have been questioned by police – six under arrest and three under caution. One arrest was over an alleged sexual assault on a child.

No one has been charged and all those arrested have been released on police bail.

An Ofsted spokesman said: "Where the registration of nurseries is suspended, a decision on whether or not to continue with the suspension has to be taken every six weeks.

"A decision has been taken to continue with the suspension, to give more time for evidence to be collected and for decisions to be taken regarding any possible criminal action by the police.

"We will review this situation once all investigations have been concluded."

A Notts Police spokesman said: "This has been a lengthy and complex inquiry and all six people arrested in connection with this investigation remain on police bail pending its conclusion.

"As the parents of the children involved and the public of Notts would expect, detectives from the Child Abuse Investigation Unit are conducting a thorough investigation into the injuries suffered and this takes time."

The investigations began in mid-August 2009 after a child who attended the nursery was taken to hospital with an unexplained fracture.

An accident book has been examined to look at other injuries sustained by children.

One tot suffered a fracture as far back as April this year.

Solicitors working on behalf of the Rocking Horse Nursery's directors – Bryn and Jane Orme – declined to comment yesterday.

The nursery in Plumtree is registered to care for 90 children and babies. It is one of eight run by The Rocking Horse Nurseries Ltd.

michael.greenwell@ nottinghameveningpost.co.uk