AN IRVINE nursery which received a damning report from care inspectors has closed its doors after it was revealed it could be putting children’s safety at risk.

The Learning Tree Nursery in Bourtreehill is no longer operational after it was subject to the shocking 28-page dossier released by the Care Inspectorate this year.

While the Times understands it has yet to officially cancel its registration with the Care Inspectorate, the doors of the Learning Tree have closed and it no longer has children in its care.

A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said they were simply awaiting official cancellation of their registration.

He said: “We are aware that The Learning Tree Nursery is not operating at present, although we await formal notification from the provider.” The catalyst for the closure came from a shock report released in May which blasted the quality of leadership and management at the independent nursery, grading it number 1 - “unsatisfactory” - the lowest score.

The 'high intensity’ inspection on May 20th this year was a follow-up from an initial inspection in March both of which exposed major concerns surrounding the nursery’s level of care. The March report detailed 10 requirements for the nursery to meet including ensuring that “staff must not use restraint on children unless the service have clear arrangements in place which have been discussed authorised and agreed by the parents, staff and another health professional when using techniques that would be viewed as restraint.” During the follow-up visit in May it was found that this particular requirement, amongst others had not been met.

Overall the nursery scored badly in all four areas with Quality of Care and Support graded at 2 - Weak; Quality of Environment graded at 3 - Adequate; Quality of Staffing received a 2 - Weak and Quality of Management and Leadership received a 1 - Unsatisfactory.

At the time Morag McGill from the Care Inspectorate, who carried out the inspection, said: “Our most pressing concern has been that due to a lack of strategic management and poor leadership since the previous inspection, the provider has compromised the health, welfare and safety of children.” The nursery has also been subject to two upheld complaints following investigations and the report also found that the nursery had no named first aider and that some staff were not registered with the Scottish Social Services Council – the registered body for regulating staff working in social services.

The report came as a shock to parents and staff, particularly after the nursery’s 2012 report graded the service 'very good’ across the board but some parents said they were considering removing them following the results.

The nursery was run by East Irvine Nursery and After School Care Limited - the same service provider who currently runs the Towerlands Cottages and Schools Out Club which also received a poor inspection report following an unannounced inspection on May 21.