A PRE-SCHOOL firm has paid £4,500 to a toddler who broke his leg while under the care of its staff.

But the child's mother says she still does not know what happened.

Three-year-old Jake Bonner was rushed to hospital in September 2003 after staff at New Eltham Pre-School found him writhing in agony.

At first doctors at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, thought he had meningitis because of his high temperature.

But an X-ray showed he had broken his left leg in two places.

Jake's mum Vicky Bonner, 26, immediately removed him from the pre-school in Sidcup Road, New Eltham.

But she says things then took a worrying turn when she was investigated by social services for child abuse.

She only realised she was no longer suspected of harming Jake when her solicitor called her three weeks later.

Mrs Bonner, a manager at a property management firm, decided to sue saying the injuries were a result of "inadequate care".

The case was due to be heard at Bromley County Court but Asquith Nurseries, which runs the pre-school, decided to settle before it went to court.

While not admitting liability, it agreed to pay £4,500 as a gesture of goodwill.

Now Mrs Bonner, of Edgehill Road, Chislehurst, says despite the cash settlement, she is no nearer knowing what happened.

She said: "We accepted compensation so Jake could have something for all he has been through.

"But we are still furious we don't know what happened. This is every parent's nightmare."

An Asquith Nurseries spokesman said the incident was fully investigated at the time by the firm, Ofsted and health and safety officers.

The settlement was a gesture of goodwill because Asquith says no evidence suggests Jake was left unsupervised.