News / Bells Brae rated highly in mixed picture for nurseries after inspections
TWO ISLES nurseries have received positive inspection reports – but a third has been told to make improvements.
Bells Brae Primary School nursery and Mossbank wraparound care were given glowing references from Care Inspectorate Scotland after unannounced visits last month.
However Dunrossness nursery was rated only as “adequate” in two key service areas, with its staffing levels and deployment coming under particular scrutiny.
Bells Brae was rated as “very good” for its staff, leadership and care, play and learning, with a “good” rating for its setting.
Children were said by parents to “speak fondly” of their time at the nursery, which was described as being “calm and comfortable”.
“Staff were warm, gentle and caring in their approach,” inspectors said.
“When speaking to staff it was clear that they knew the children well, and were able to discuss likes, dislikes, personalities, sensitivities and how they were supporting them.”
Bairns had the chance to do crafts, play with dolls in a house corner or go outside into the fresh air and exercise on bikes or on a climbing wall during the visit.
And children and families were said to be “meaningfully involved” with the service, with parents feeling “very welcomed” to express views.
Staff at Bells Brae were “very enthusiastic and committed to their roles”, and “proud of the strong relationships built with children and their families.”
One parent said staff were “genuinely interested in you and your child”.
The only area of improvement inspectors asked for was in the nursery’s outdoor space, which they said “could have been more inviting and interesting for the children”.
It said the nursery had already also identified this as an area for it to develop.
Mossbank wraparound care, which provides nursery care to children not yet at primary school age as well as an out of school service aged between 3-14 years, also received a positive report.
It was rated as “very good” for its staff team and care, play and learning, and rated “good” for its leadership and its setting.
Interactions between staff and children were “very warm, kind, and caring”, inspectors found, with children seen to “engage very well with staff”.
“Staff knew children very well and showed a genuine interest in taking account of their individual needs and preferences,” they said.
One parent described staff as “very friendly”, adding they seemed to “genuinely care for the children”.
Leadership at the nursery was also a strength, with children’s and families views “actively sought” out and making an impact on the service.
And staff were said to have created an atmosphere leading to a “very happy team”, where children and staff “had fun together”.
Again the outdoor environment at Mossbank was raised as an area for improvement by inspectors.
They said that children were interested in water play, which “wasn’t on offer outdoors”.
“There was scope to develop this,” inspectors found.
“The setting had already identified this as an area for development and had started making improvements.”
While Dunrossness was rated as “good” for its setting and leadership, it was only rated as “adequate” for its staff team and its care, play and learning.
Inspectors found that staff were not deployed well enough at times at the nursery.
Care Inspectorate Scotland said staff would sit with children at meal and snack times, but would often have to leave the table to complete tasks or support other children.
“The deployment of staff at these times should be reviewed in order to best promote children’s safety and positive experiences,” inspectors visiting the nursery said.
They also found that strategies of support for children were “not consistent”.
“For example, one plan identified that the child needed support when separating from their parents but did not detail how this was to be given,” they said.
“Staffing arrangements did not consistently meet children’s needs during the morning session, when the service was busier and more children required additional support.”
The lack of staffing arrangements had been recognised by staff themselves, the manager and even a parent, who provided feedback.
On the second day of the inspection, staffing levels were improved,” inspectors said.
“However, there was a short period when children were not directly supervised in one playroom.
“Although staff in another room had an overview of the children, this presented a potential risk to children’s safety and wellbeing.”
However, inspectors praised the Dunrossness nursery setting and its leadership.
“The use of soft furnishings contributed to a homely atmosphere and helped to promote children’s comfort and emotional security,” they said.
“Parents/carers told us they felt involved in the development of the service and that their views were valued.
“Plans were also in place to capture children’s voices more effectively.”
Bells Brae and Dunrossness were visited on 15 and 16 September, while Mossbank was visited on 17 and 18 September 2025, with all the inspections unannounced.
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