Dundee nursery must make significant improvements or close

A Dundee nursery has been warned it faces closure unless it make urgent improvements to its standard of care.

The city centre Ark Nursery must convince the Care Inspectorate it has allayed its concerns about child protection and staff recruitment.

Last month it emerged one of its employees had been suspended and reported to the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

The SSSC confirmed it was conducting an investigation, but it did not disclose any details about the allegations.

The announcement by the Care Inspectorate makes it clear the entire nursery is now under close scrutiny.

In its formal notice to the Ark, it said it was proposing to cancel its registration — forcing it to shut down — unless there was a “significant improvement” in operations.

A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said: “The safety and well-being of children is our top priority and where we have concerns about a service we do not hesitate to act.

“We have informed the nursery of the areas where we require improvement. If we are not satisfied that significant improvements have been made within the timescale we require, we will not hesitate to take further action.”

The notice says the nursery, which can take up to 59 children, must ensure by March 14 that staff and the manager have the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities regarding child protection.

It also says the nursery must review and revise recruitment policies.

A spokesperson for the Ark Nursery said: “The directors and management are committed to working with all outside agencies to fulfil all necessary requirements.

“We are confident that the requirements set out in the improvement notice will be met by March 14.

“The directors have written to each parent inviting them to a parent group meeting at which events arising out of the suspension of a member of staff by the Scottish Social Services Council will be discussed, and at which the directors will seek to answer any questions or respond to any concerns parents may have.”