ANGRY parents were urgently trying to find care for scores of children after three Redditch nurseries closed down without warning.

Twenty-two staff from Rosies Day Care Centre at Woodrow, Rosies in Church Hill and Paddingtons in West Avenue were shocked when officials from Ofsted walked in and closed the nurseries down on Thursday evening.

In a statement a, spokesman for the watchdog said: "Ofsted's first priority is to protect children in receipt of day care.

''It is only in very rare circumstances that we take the serious step of proposing that a registration be terminated at short notice.

''On such occasions, we must convince a magistrate that children are likely to suffer significant harm.

''Ofsted has no specific child protection concerns about the staff who have been working in these nurseries; the question of suitability applies only to the registered person.

''We regret that parents will be inconvenienced by this sudden withdrawal of day care for their children but wish to reassure them that we firmly believe that the steps we have taken on this occasion are necessary and in the best interests of the children."

The owner of the nurseries with 170 children on the registers, Rose Twomey, of Feckenham Road, Headless Cross, said: "I was absolutely devastated.

''I only heard on Friday morning when a parent rang me up and told me.

''I am the administrator and have nothing to do with the children.

''I have been providing nursery care in Redditch for nine years and the Ofsted reports have always been very good."

She added Ofsted inspectors had not told her they were applying to magistrates to close down her businesses.

Emma Chester 28, whose 12-month-old daughter Jessica attended Paddingtons nursery, said: "We were devastated when we heard the news from one of the staff.

''I was lucky my husband Jason could look after her on Friday but I know other mothers were in tears wondering what to do when they heard."

Neal Stote, father of 18-month-old Daniella, is demanding to know more from Ofsted.

He said: "If they say this has nothing to do with the staff, why put the parents through such a nightmare?

''I was lucky I could take the day off but what about other parents who couldn't?''

One staff member, who did not want to be named, said: "We are all very upset and had to start looking for jobs immediately.

''We have not heard from the owner but we have been called to a meeting on Wednesday with the Children's Information Services."

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said: "This is a matter for Ofsted but our information services will be giving help and support to the staff regarding job prospects."