Aberdeen private school gets lowest Care Inspectorate grade

An independent Aberdeen school kindergarten which is to close this summer amid an investigation has been given the lowest possible grade for quality of care.

The Care Inspectorate graded the nursery “unsatisfactory” across all four major review areas.

Enquiries began after the Care Inspectorate received complaints about the “staffing and care of children” at the nursery.

Care Inspectorate director of inspection, Dr Robert Peat, said: “While our inspection raised serious concerns about this service, we had no immediate concerns about the safety or welfare of children.

“Our report clearly outlines areas where improvement must be made. However, the management of the school have independently announced their intention to close the nursery at the end of the school year.

“The Care Inspectorate, Education Scotland and Aberdeen City Council have worked closely throughout this process to ensure that children and parents receive appropriate support.

“We will continue to work closely with colleagues to ensure the closure of the nursery is planned and orderly, with disruption and distress to children kept to a minimum.

“We will also continue to monitor the service until it closes to ensure that required standards are met.

“It is important to stress that at no point did the Care Inspectorate seek the closure of this service.”