Staff Suspended After Nursery Abuse

Three staff members at a north-east nursery have been suspended amid allegations of abuse against children, it emerged last night. Police and the Care Commission are investigating the allegations at Wee Rascals Nursery, at Kintore, Aberdeenshire.

Management suspended the three female employees and are running the nursery, which cares for nearly 100 children, with temporary cover. It is understood that student nursery nurses complained to the Care Commission about behaviour they witnessed while on a work placement.

The allegations are not of a sexual nature.

The husband of nursery owner Fiona Angus, who co-manages the business, refused to comment on the allegations. However, late last night, the nursery issued a statement after consulting its solicitor.

“The owners of Wee Rascals Nursery have been advised by Grampian Police and the Care Commission that a complaint has been made against three members of staff.

“An investigation has been instigated by the authorities into the allegations made. The owners have not been made aware by the authorities of the nature of the complaints and are unable to make any further comment until the investigation is complete.”

The statement said the three members of staff had been suspended on full pay as a precaution pending the findings of the investigation.

The statement went on: “The nursery has earned a reputation of the highest standard and no other complaints have previously been made against members of staff.

“This is reflected by the fact that no parents have withdrawn their children from the nursery as a result of this investigation.

“We will continue to support the authorities in carrying out their investigation to ensure that the children’s interests are treated as of paramount importance.

“The owners have every confidence in the staff employed at the nursery and look forward to a speedy resolution of the investigation.”

Parents spoke last night of their support for the staff.

A nativity play, which had been cancelled because of the investigation, is expected to be held at the Morrison Way premises today.

The Care Commission began its investigation on Friday last week alongside Grampian Police.

A report has been sent to the procurator fiscal but no one has been charged.

A spokesman for the commission said: “We received a complaint about alleged abuse of children at the privately run Wee Rascals nursery at Kintore.

“Because of the serious nature of the claims, the police were also alerted and officers and Care Commission staff visited the nursery on December 1 and formally informed them of the allegations.

“Three staff members were suspended immediately and the Care Commission is satisfied the nursery can continue to operate in the meantime.

“Since a full police investigation is under way, it is not appropriate for us to comment further at this stage.”

A Grampian Police spokesman confirmed that officers had visited the nursery with Care Commission staff and added: “A report is being forwarded to the fiscal for his consideration.”

Parents of the youngsters said yesterday that rumours had been circulating but the nursery’s management had given them no explanation.

Wendy Park, who sends her three-year-old daughter, Maisie, to the nursery, said: “It is a wonderful place – a home from home. All the kids love them.”

Mrs Park, 31, of Craignathunder, Inverurie, called the allegations “nonsense” and added: “It’s just students who work from a textbook not understanding how nurseries are run.

“The worst thing is that the kids are upset because they don’t understand why the teachers aren’t there any more.

“It’s the worst possible time because they had been looking forward to the nativity play but the teachers won’t be there to see it.”

Another mum, who sends her two-year-old daughter to the nursery, said: “From our point of view, we’ve always been delighted with their standard of care.

“The nursery has enjoyed a good reputation until now. We’ll keep an open mind.”

Parents collecting their children backed the management at Wee Rascals.

One mother said: “It’s just a storm in a teacup.”

The nursery, to the south of the town near the A96 Aberdeen-Inverness road, was last visited by HM Inspectorate of Education in February.

Inspectors said staff were “warm and caring” towards the 92 children on the school roll. They described the teaching programme in positive terms but made a list of requirements.

These included a review of the child-protection policy and teacher training.