Nursery Threatened With Closure By Care Commission

AN ABERDEEN nursery has been threatened with closure by the Care Commission after allegedly putting children at risk by failing to carry out criminal record checks on some of its staff.

All Stars Nursery in Don Street, Woodside, could be de-registered by the commission, which also claims there is “a lack of robust recruitment and selection procedures” at the school.

Care Commission team manager Mary Morris writes in a letter to the nursery’s owner: “Due to lack of robust recruitment and selection procedures, you may be putting very young, vulnerable children at risk.

“You have no information as to criminal records of some staff employed in the service and very limited information on their background and character due to lack of references.”

No one from the nursery would comment yesterday but the Care Commission confirmed the owners have rejected the findings and are appealing the move. Ms Morris continues to claim there was “frequently” only one member of staff on duty who had undergone an Enhanced Disclosure check and was able to take children to the toilet.

In her letter, Ms Morris concludes: “Taking all evidence into account, the Care Commission has decided to cancel the registration of the care service.”

A Care Commission spokesman said: “The owners of All Stars Nursery have exercised their right to appeal against the cancellation of registration. This matter will be heard by a sheriff and we are awaiting the issue coming to court.

“In the meantime, the nursery remains open.”

According to the Care Commission, All Stars Nursery has had seven complaints upheld between March 2007 and August this year. The August complaint related to staff training and qualifications.

It has also been served with three improvement notices – one last year and two this year.

In June this year it was served with a proposing to cancel notice after failing to appoint a manager. In the past there have also been alleged incidents where children had been force-fed food.