THE owner of the three Redditch nurseries shut without warning by education watchdogs has pledged to fight the decision.

Rosie Twomey has criticised Ofsted for closing Rosies Day Care Centre in Woodrow, Rosies in Church Hill and Paddington's in West Avenue on Thursday, February 16.

She claims Ofsted's shock decision was "totally unnecessary" and had left parents and staff "out in the cold" as to reasons why the nurseries had been closed.

"I am astonished as I have always had a good relationship with Ofsted and inspection reports for all the nurseries have been good," said Mrs Twomey.

"I am really upset I have not been able to contact parents as Ofsted took my records so I don't have their details. But I would like to reassure them that at all times children received the best possible care.

"If I'd had any idea this was going to happen I would have done everything in my power to stop it.

"It was heartbreaking for my staff to see the parents and children turned away. Although there had been contact with Ofsted, I had no more warning than anyone else as Ofsted did not to get in touch with me or any of my staff in advance to let us know what was happening."

Meanwhile, staff made redundant by the closures say they are keen to move on.

One worker, who did not wish to be named, said: "I don't want anything to do with Rosies anymore. I just want to put it all behind me."