There is concern that children “are, or may be, exposed to a risk of harm” at a day care centre, Ofsted has revealed.

Oxhey Early Years Centre was instructed by the school watchdog to temporarily shut its day care service for six weeks between December 3 to January 14 – after what was described as a serious “isolated incident” took place.

Both the centre and Ofsted say they cannot say more at this time while investigations are ongoing.

However parents and carers have been informed in a letter by Ofsted that there is “reasonable cause” to believe that children could be at risk of harm.

As Ofsted investigates, it will review the necessary steps to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm.

As is protocol with Ofsted investigations, the suspension may be lifted prior to the January 14 cut off date if the school watchdog believes that children are no longer at risk.

A spokesperson told the Watford Observer: “We can’t comment on individual incidents, but I can confirm that we have suspended the nursery’s registration because of concerns about children’s safety. We continue to work with the provider.”

Ash Patil, the chair director at Oxhey Early Years, previously wrote to parents that the matter is being “taken very seriously”.

The early years centre explained it is “working with all regulatory bodies” to investigate what happened.

“All parties involved in the incident are aware and are working with the relevant bodies to support the investigation so the matter can be dealt with as swiftly as possible,” the letter read.

Watford Observer: Ofsted are looking into the isolated incident Photo: PAOfsted are looking into the isolated incident Photo: PA

It continued: “As the day care has been instructed to close, there will be no charge to any parent during this time”.

The chair of directors told the Observer: “I was concerned to hear about an incident at our day care last week.

“The matter is being taken very seriously and we are working with the county council’s safeguarding team and Ofsted to understand how it happened, and what we need to do to prevent any similar incident in the future.

“On Ofsted’s advice, the day care will be closed in the first instance up to six weeks while the investigation takes place.

“I’d like to apologise to our parents for the inconvenience this will no doubt cause, but I am sure they will agree that it’s important to get to the bottom of what happened.”