A SCHOOL has stepped up its security measures after a child was able to wander out of the playground alone for the second time in less than 12 months.

Three-year-old Taylor-Billy Anderson walked out of the nursery at Elaine Primary School at Strood on her own.

Her mother, Teresa, 30, found her on the pavement on the other side of the school gates when she arrived to pick her up at 11.15am on Tuesday last week.

The toddler was able to slip out of the gates while staff were talking to parents. Mrs Anderson, of Northcote Road, pulled up outside the school to find her daughter standing alone, next to the busy road. She said: “I always pick her up from the back of the school in Clifton Close. It’s quite a busy road at that time because people are picking up their children and use it as a cut through from London Road.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw her standing there. She was upset and crying. I was running late that day anyway and if I had been just one minute later anything could have happened. I can’t bear thinking about it.”

The school apologised immediately for the mistake and sent Mrs Anderson a letter of apology which said that Taylor-Billy had slipped out while staff were dealing with queries from parents. A similar incident took place last October when four-year-old Harry Cowpland, who is deaf and partially sighted, was left wandering the streets after slipping out of the pre-school.

Harry was able to wander off during a staff change-over when a staff member was distracted by a question from a parent.

The school in Elaine Avenue promptly changed its policies to prevent it happening again and an adult was appointed to always stand by the school door.

Mrs Anderson said: “I know that this has happened before. However, I would have thought that precautions put in place last time would have stopped this happening again.”

A Medway Council spokesman said: “Keeping children safe is a top priority in every school. There was an incident this week where a child was able to leave the nursery unit without their parents.

“The school is very sorry that this incident took place. The school spoke with Taylor-Billy’s mother and followed up by talking with her about how to improve security. As a direct result, a member of staff is now placed by the external gate to the building. This means that the gate can no longer be accidentally left open by parents and no child can leave without staff being aware that they are safe and with their parents/carers.

“This adds to security measures put in place late last year when a staff member was placed at the external door to make sure children left with adults who were meant to be picking them up."’