A BOY aged three was spotted wandering the streets after he managed to get out of his pre-school without the staff noticing.

The child managed to leave the pre-school grounds, cross over a busy main road and wander around a nearby street before he was seen by a passer-by.

The youngster, who escaped from Parkwood Pre-School, Deanwood Drive, Rainham, gave his carers the slip during playtime.

As a result, Medway Council has tightened up safety procedures surrounding outside play at pre-schools.

It is understood the youngster crossed Deanwood Drive and made his way to nearby Long Catlis Road where he wandered for several minutes.

He was found by an elderly woman who called the police and looked after the boy until he could be returned to the school.

One shocked parent said: "It’s a horrifying thought. It was very lucky that he wasn’t knocked down and that he didn’t fall into the wrong hands.

"I just don’t understand how it’s possible for a three-year-old to get away from school without being noticed. It’s really shocking. You do hear about these stories but I never thought it could happen so close to home."

Another parent said: "I’m really shocked by this because my child went to Parkwood Pre-School and nothing like this ever happened."

Chairman of the pre-school, Lindsay Mackenzie, said: "We are all extremely pleased that the boy came to no harm and are looking forward to seeing him at the pre-school soon. A full investigation was carried out immediately to ensure nothing like this happens again."

A spokesman for Medway Council said: "The child was missing for a matter of minutes. We take the security of our pupils very seriously. We have changed our pre-school outside play policy so that there is an adult stationed at the access routes at all times and that the main gates are padlocked throughout the entire school day. This should ensure that there will be no similar incidents."