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The Education Ministry has launched an investigation after three pupils from a Taranaki kindergarten scaled a boundary fence and went missing for almost two hours.
The Taranaki Daily News reported it was understood the three girls used a ladder to climb over a fence at Oakura's Kaitake Kindergarten on Wednesday and made their way to one of the girls' homes, crossing busy State Highway 45 on the way.
It appears their absence went unnoticed until parents came to pick them up and they could not be found.
Police were called, but the trio were found by a parent at the home of one of the children.
The kindergarten has taken steps to prevent a repeat of the escape bid, including increasing the height of the fence around the perimeter, taking the roll during morning and afternoon teas. and inviting a police constable to talk to the children about safety.
North Taranaki Kindergarten Association spokeswoman Hilda Colgen said she was unable to comment, as the incident was being investigated by the Ministry of Education.
- NZPA
