Probe launched after two boys, aged 4, walk out of Falkirk Council nursery unnoticed

They then made their way through a housing estate before crossing a busy road.

After wandering through a residential area, they appear to have crossed the road again.

A family friend of one of the youngsters spotted the two boys playing in a park and became alarmed no adults were with them.

He called the dad of one boy who immediately rushed to get them and return them to the nursery.

Mum-of-four Danielle Penman was out shopping when her partner, Christopher Short, called to say the boys had been spotted in Burnside Park.

She said: “I was horrified. He sent me a video of them running about and I couldn’t believe it.

"I don’t understand why the nursery didn’t notice they were missing or if they did, why not contact us?”

Her son, Lochlan Short, has spent the last two years at the nursery and in August will begin P1 at Carron Primary which is next to the nursery.

She added: “Now I’m really worried that he will be there for seven years and how do we know he will be safe?”

Danielle, 34, asked Lochlan to show her the route of his “adventure” as she tried to piece together the journey that the youngsters made. And she admits that she has been horrified at how much risk they faced.

"He told me that his friend had crawled under the fence and he had followed him. They went down a street that was a dead end so cut through a lane. When they reached Carronshore Road, just after the busy roundabout they crossed and headed along Carrongrove Road.

"He said they went to the ‘spooky park’ but didn’t like it because there were no grown ups with them so they made their way to Burnside Park.”

She said that she was relieved they were finally spotted by a family friend and eventually returned to the nursery.

“We’ve been told by the nursery that they left at 12.19pm and I’ve managed to get some other sightings of them,” added Danielle.

"It’s all very well the nursery staff saying they are sorry but we need answers as to why this was allowed to happen. And so far, they’ve not been able to tell us.”

A Falkirk Council spokesperson said: "During the lunchtime period on Tuesday, June 16, two children were found outside the grounds of Carron Primary School. They were found safe nearby and were returned to the nursery straight away.

"The children's families were informed and met with the headteacher soon afterwards. We recognise how concerning this incident was for them and for the wider nursery community.

"An investigation is underway and the Care Inspectorate has been notified.

"The nursery is also reviewing supervision arrangements, safety planning and risk assessments for the outdoor area, with further daily checks in place while that work is ongoing.

"Keeping children safe is our first priority. We are treating this as a serious incident and will continue to update parents as appropriate."