A private nursery which was shut down due over a list of “serious concerns” could be taken over by another provider.
The Care Inspectorate is consulting with 60 nurseries in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire in an effort to find places for youngsters affected by the closure of the Hamilton School.
One possibility being considered is for a private provider to take over the Queen’s Road site, which has space for 218 children.
Nurseries have also been asked if they can increase their own capacities to make room for children who attended Hamilton School.
The nursery, which is at the centre of a police investigation, was closed at the weekend after inspectors found the level of care provided to be “dangerous and unacceptable”. The school was shut down last week.
In a preliminary report by the Care Inspectorate, the nursery was found to have 14 “immediate concerns”. Information on cases of young children with unexplained injuries has also been given to the police.
The school’s principal and owner, Kathlyn Taylor, 65, and a 25-year-old nursery employee are facing prosecution after an investigation into staff conduct.
The Care Inspectorate’s chief executive, Annette Bruton, said yesterday there had been “significant” interest from private providers.
“We have to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of children remains the top priority,” she said.
“The Care Inspectorate has asked existing nurseries to consider what they can reasonably accommodate, and have asked for this information as soon as possible.
“We will then begin to process variations to numbers permitted in nurseries in accordance with the statutory regulations and what is safe.”
Local providers attended a meeting with the Care Inspectorate on Monday, and representatives from one organisation agreed to discuss taking over the Hamilton School nursery with their senior managers.
In a letter to parents, Mrs Bruton said: “They will advise later in the week if they were interested in exploring this as an option.
“We must remember, however, that the premises remain the private property of the Hamilton School and no such arrangement could be entertained without their agreement.”
The letter also says “it does not appear to be a possibility” that the nursery could be taken over by Aberdeen City Council, as some parents had suggested.