A NURSERY school in Kilwinning has lost its contract to provide care to children with North Ayrshire Council.

Little Deers Nursery, on Irvine Road, failed to meet the Scottish Government’s minimum standards following inspections by the Care Inspectorate (CI).

A concerned parent with a daughter at the centre told the Times: “I’m absolutely appalled that they have not taken on board the recommendations from the previous two years’ inspections.

“The owners have left lots of parents and carers in a very difficult position.”

The mother said she has struggled to find alternative care for her child which fits the model offered by the council for August this year when Little Deers’ contract runs out.

She said: “I need to keep my child at a nursery that’s basically been deemed not fit for purpose.

“Their care inspections reports since 2017 have been awful.”

From August, Little Deers Nursery will no longer be able to provide early learning and childcare to children funded by the council, but they can continue to operate for private customers.

A letter from the nursery, which looks after up to 115 children, to parents and carers states: “We are sorry that North Ayrshire Council will not be renewing its contract with Little Deers.

“However, we sincerely hope with new management on board we can renew this in the future.”

The centre’s management changed in January and, according to one parent, the new manager had not been made aware of the issues raised by the inspection.

The latest CI report, completed on December 12, includes comments from five parents complimenting staff for their professionalism and positivity.

However, the report graded the quality of management and leadership as weak.

Inspectors found that medications forms continue to be inaccurate and food menus did not match what the children were receiving.

Inspectors were also concerned about the lack of knowledge and poor practice regarding infection control.

To meet national standards to provide the 1,140 hours of free early learning and childcare funded by the council, a nursery must achieve grades of good or above in each category assessed.

The CI graded the nursery as adequate in three of the criteria.

A meeting is scheduled between the owner of the nursery, NAC and the head of the CI on Wednesday, February 26, to be followed by a meeting for all parents.

The Times contacted Little Deers for comment but has received no response at the time of publication.