A local child care operator is providing clarification on an incident yesterday that resulted in a “code orange” at the Janeway Hospital.

A number of young pre-schoolers in Mount Pearl were brought to the hospital yesterday as a precaution after early childhood educators became aware that a preschooler had a handful of pills in their pocket.

Fearful that other children may have inadvertently come into contact with loose pills, the staff contacted emergency services and parents.

A spokesperson for the child care centre says the pills turned out to be extra-strength acetaminophen, under the Kirkland brand, which caused increased concern, because they were unmarked.

She says the centre also contacted poison control, adding parents arrived immediately and brought their children to hospital.

Fortunately, she says, there were no injuries or harm caused with all tests on the children coming back negative.

The centre has asked that it not be identified out of concern for the privacy of its staff and clients.