The 90-place Rocking Horse Nursery in Plumtree has had its Ofstedregistration suspended while police investigate how the three children,all aged between one and two, sustained their injuries.
The first case was reported in August after a child was taken tohospital with an unexplained fracture. In line with child protectionprocedures, the child was referred to the Children's Servicesdepartment, which then notified Nottinghamshire police.
Further enquiries revealed that two more children from the nursery hadsuffered unexplained fractures this year.
Nottinghamshire County Council's cabinet member for children and youngpeople, Philip Owen, told BBC News that he had heard from Ofsted thatone child had suffered a broken leg in April.
Nottinghamshire Police were unable to confirm any details relating tothe children's injuries. A spokesman said, 'Officers have questionedfive people in connection with the investigation. Two of those werearrested and subsequently released on police bail, while the remainingthree were questioned under police caution.'
An Ofsted spokesperson said that it had received reports of a number ofinjuries to children attending the nursery and had suspended theprovider's registration until the investigation is concluded.
The Plumtree setting, which also runs an after-school club, was ratedgood in its most recent Ofsted report, published in 2007. It is operatedby directors Bryn and Jane Orme, and is one of eight settings run byRocking Horse Nurseries.
A spokesperson for the nursery said, 'The directors have not beeninformed that there is any evidence to suggest that any alleged injurywas sustained while the child concerned was in the care of the nursery.The directors and all staff are co-operating fully with the ongoinginvestigation.'
Medical expert Dr Raj Thakkar told Nursery World, 'Unexplained is thecritical word in cases like these. Doctors have to consider each caseindividually to establish whether there is a plausible explanation, suchas a genetic condition or bone disease. However, the odds of threechildren in one nursery having this type of condition are millions toone. If doctors cannot find a plausible cause for the fractures, thenthey have to consider foul play and these cases will need to beinvestigated very thoroughly by the authorities. Alarm bells wouldcertainly ring with me.'
Nottinghamshire County Council said that any parents affected by theclosure of the nursery or its after-school club should call its FamilyInformation Service on 0800 781 21 68 for help with finding alternativecare facilities.