Another concerned mum is considering taking her child out of the Southampton Early Learning Centre over fears her child is being smacked.

Her move follows three parents who said their youngsters were traumatised after attending the nursery.

Government is now conducting a probe.

However one parent rang this paper last night to spring to the nursery's defence and there was also strong support from mums arriving to collect their kids last night. Marion Lister, who helps run the Middle Road nursery, refused to let The Royal Gazette inside the building or to answer questions.

She said: "No comment. I will have to let you speak to my lawyer. I would prefer not to say anything.'' She went on to say she had just got back from a trip abroad and was still gauging the situation.

She said: "I have been doing this for over 30 years -- we give love and care, that's all we give, love and care.'' One worried mother, who did not wished to be named, said her son had changed since attending the school.

She said: "He cries every morning. I thought it was because I was home with my daughter and he thought he should be home.

"I have been back at work for two months and he cries every morning. He stands at the door and doesn't want to go in.

"He asks me every morning `Am I going to school? Then he says `I don't want to go'.'' "I asked him if he is getting hit and he says yes.

"I asked him to show me where and he pointed to his arm just above the wrist.

He was fine in his other nursery.

"I was speaking with another mother and when her daughter sees Marion Lister she always hangs on to her mother.

"That was three months ago. I only thought about it when I saw the article in the paper. "Something is wrong with that school.'' The mother also questioned the locked door policy which she, too, found disturbing.

She said she would have to ring the bell, the door would then be shut while her child was fetched to hand over.

However another mother said this was nothing to worry about and the nursery was doing a fine job.

She said: "I would want my child to be locked in.

"They are little Houdinis and could escape at a minute's notice.

"At every Parent-Teachers meeting I have attended, they have always said parents are welcome to come at any time, announced or unannounced.

The woman, who also asked to remain anonymous, has a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter at the school, and her five-year- old daughter attended the nursery's summer camp.

She said: "I have nothing but good things to say about it and I feel the other side should be presented.

"If any issue like this is raised then it should of course be investigated, but I am a little concerned about some of the specifics raised by the others.

"My two-and-half-year-old goes there and my five-year-old was at summer camp and they have been nothing but thrilled.

"Ironically, my two-year-old had her Government assessment this morning and she scored way off the charts.

"I find it hard to believe she would be so well-adjusted and be doing above average if something was wrong.

"I am an experienced parent and I think I would sense if something was going on.

"You can never be 100 percent sure because you're not there every day, but I would think I would see the signs.'' Three other mums outside the nursery said they were happy with the care their kids were getting.