News

Playgroup re-opens after alleged assault

AN Aberystwyth playgroup, where a sexual assault allegedly took place earlier this month, re-opened its doors on Monday - with no adverse effect on attendance reported.

St Padarn’s Playgroup, in Llanbadarn Road, was closed for more than a week before the half-term break, pending a police investigation into an alleged sexual assault on 4 February.

A male member of staff arrested in relation to the allegation remains on bail while the police investigation continues.

The playgroup’s committee had voluntarily closed the playgroup, following a recommendation by the Local Safeguarding Children Board. But when St Padarn’s Playgroup re-opened on Monday morning, it was “business as usual”.

A spokesperson for St Padarn’s Playgroup said: “We are not aware of any parent having withdrawn a child from St Padarn’s Playgroup, and we re-opened on Monday as anticipated.

“We hope that the investigation ends well for those concerned. We have nothing further to say on any other aspect at this stage.”

A notice on the door of the playgroup building last week stated that, after consultation with parents of children attending the playgroup, it was planned to re-open after the half-term break.

St Padarn’s Playgroup is registered by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales, a regulatory body operating on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government, St Padarn’s Playgroup was “routinely inspected” just two days before the sexual assault allegation was made.