Nursery criticised for mould in dining areas and potties left on floors

A watchdog says children's health was put at "significant risk" by mould in dining areas and potties being left on bathroom floors at a nursery and out of school club in Aberdeenshire.

The Care Inspectorate rated Busy Bees Inverurie's efforts to help children to thrive and develop in quality spaces as "unsatisfactory", and its leadership as "weak".

On a visit in March, inspectors found the out of school care building had extensive rot, potential structural concerns, and unsafe equipment.

Busy Bees said it was "disappointed" with the overall outcome of the inspection, and added that a renovation programme was underway.

Children were moved out of the out of school care part of the building once inspectors highlighted issues.

The Care Inspectorate described the environment as "unsafe" for children and staff.

The company was warned it also caused significant risks for those with health conditions.

Other building issues included missing ceiling panels.

There was also a risk of infection in nursery buildings due to "ineffective controls" - including potties being left on bathroom floors and food left uncovered for extended periods.

Toilet paper and hand towels "were not consistently available".

The watchdog said staff felt that their concerns were "dismissed" or not followed up.

Busy Bees Inverurie was rated satisfactory/adequate in two areas - children's play and learning and support for children to achieve.

The site, which can take up to 200 children, has until the middle of this month to make the required improvements.

Busy Bees Inverurie is part of a wider network of childcare facilities which is described as the UK's largest.

Yvonne Smillie, Busy Bees managing director for Scotland, said: "We strive to deliver only the best possible early years education and to meet the needs of all families at the nursery, and we are sincerely sorry that on this occasion our internal escalation to report maintenance matters failed.

"We have already launched a significant renovation programme to address the inspection's key findings, and look forward to rolling this out further in the months ahead."

She said its nursery team was working hard to maintain education standards for children while work was being done, and she asked that the team be "supported and respected".