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Two-year-old girl dies at nursery Two-year-old girl dies at nursery
(19 minutes later)
A two-year-old girl has died at a nursery in what staff said was a "freak" playground accident.A two-year-old girl has died at a nursery in what staff said was a "freak" playground accident.
Essex Police and ambulance services were called to Eton Manor Day Nursery in Chigwell at 1115 GMT.Essex Police and ambulance services were called to Eton Manor Day Nursery in Chigwell at 1115 GMT.
The child was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone, and certified dead at 1141 GMT.The child was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone, and certified dead at 1141 GMT.
Police said the parents of the girl were at the hospital and police family liaison officers had been appointed to help them. Staff at the nursery are helping police with the investigation into the incident. Officers have described the death as "unexplained".
Nursery staff are helping police with their investigation. Earlier officers had described the death as "unexplained". Police said the parents of the girl were at the hospital and family liaison officers had been appointed to help them.
'Mark of respect''Mark of respect'
In a statement, Eton Manor Children's Day Nursery and the directors of Casterbridge Care and Education Ltd said: "Our thoughts are with the child's family at this terrible time. In a statement, Eton Manor and the directors of Casterbridge Care and Education Ltd said: "Our thoughts are with the child's family at this terrible time.
"We are obviously co-operating fully with the Essex Police investigation. While we don't want to pre-judge the outcome of the investigation, this appears to have been a freak playground accident."We are obviously co-operating fully with the Essex Police investigation. While we don't want to pre-judge the outcome of the investigation, this appears to have been a freak playground accident.
"At the request of the police, we have not spoken to the members of staff who were in the play area at the time of the incident."At the request of the police, we have not spoken to the members of staff who were in the play area at the time of the incident.
"It is a position of great privilege and responsibility to care for children and the safety and security of those children is of the utmost importance to us."It is a position of great privilege and responsibility to care for children and the safety and security of those children is of the utmost importance to us.
"We have informed the families of the other children at Eton Manor of this incident and the nursery is closing as a mark of respect and to facilitate the investigation.""We have informed the families of the other children at Eton Manor of this incident and the nursery is closing as a mark of respect and to facilitate the investigation."
The nursery said it was offering counselling to people affected by the incident.The nursery said it was offering counselling to people affected by the incident.
An Ofsted spokesman said: "Ofsted is aware of a tragic incident at Eton Manor children's day nursery, Chigwell, Essex.An Ofsted spokesman said: "Ofsted is aware of a tragic incident at Eton Manor children's day nursery, Chigwell, Essex.
"Ofsted is liaising with the relevant agencies. We offer our sincere condolences to the child's family at this sad time.""Ofsted is liaising with the relevant agencies. We offer our sincere condolences to the child's family at this sad time."
The watchdog's website shows that the nursery was last inspected in January 2006.
'Good safety measures''Good safety measures'
In her report, inspector Lisa Paisley said the nursery has space for a maximum of 102 children and, at the start of 2006, 86 children aged from two to five were registered there. The watchdog's website shows that the nursery was last inspected in January 2006.
"Children benefit from being cared for in an environment where good hygiene practices are maintained," said the report. In her report, inspector Lisa Paisley said: "Children benefit from being cared for in an environment where good hygiene practices are maintained."
It added that the provision for protecting children is good, with "good measures in place to ensure that risks to children's safety, both indoors and outdoors, are minimised". She added that the provision for protecting children is good, with "good measures in place to ensure that risks to children's safety, both indoors and outdoors, are minimised".
"Clear formal risk assessments are carried out in each group room and a central log is maintained in the office, ensuring that potential hazards to children are minimised." The report went on: "Clear formal risk assessments are carried out in each group room and a central log is maintained in the office, ensuring that potential hazards to children are minimised.
The report went on: "Children learn about keeping themselves safe through gentle reminders from staff and by safe negotiation of hazards such as the stairs. "Children learn about keeping themselves safe through gentle reminders from staff and by safe negotiation of hazards such as the stairs.
"Children are well protected by staff, who have a good awareness of child protection procedures and know how to put these into practice to safeguard children's welfare.""Children are well protected by staff, who have a good awareness of child protection procedures and know how to put these into practice to safeguard children's welfare."
The quality of teaching and learning was deemed good and the inspectors added: "Children are encouraged to be independent, as they can freely access resources and choose their own activities."The quality of teaching and learning was deemed good and the inspectors added: "Children are encouraged to be independent, as they can freely access resources and choose their own activities."
However in 2005 inspectors found the acceptable ratio of staff to children was not always met.However in 2005 inspectors found the acceptable ratio of staff to children was not always met.
The nursery was also told to ensure children aged under two were cared for in groups no larger than 12.The nursery was also told to ensure children aged under two were cared for in groups no larger than 12.