A nursery in Johnstone has been told it must make a series of improvements following a joint inspection by Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate.
Inspectors visited Gleniffer Nursery in January 2026 and highlighted concerns around safeguarding procedures, children’s progress, staffing deployment and the quality of learning experiences.
The nursery, which is run in partnership with Renfrewshire Council to provide funded early learning and childcare, currently has 47 children on the roll.
Inspectors said the setting had experienced “a period of significant change”, including a recent change in ownership and the appointment of a new manager just days before the inspection took place.
Among the key strengths identified were staff knowing children well and working together to ensure children “have fun”.
However, inspectors also said the provider should review and update child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures, while senior leaders were told to improve the quality of children’s experiences and how progress is monitored.
The report graded “learning, teaching and assessment”, “nurturing, care and support” and “children’s progress” as weak. “Staff skills, knowledge, values and deployment” was rated satisfactory/adequate.
Inspectors found that while some staff interactions were warm and nurturing, experiences across the nursery were inconsistent. The report said some children lost focus quickly during activities and needed more engaging and challenging learning opportunities.
Concerns were also raised over medication procedures, accident recording and safeguarding systems. Inspectors stated that child protection handling and processes “did not always reflect best practice guidance”, increasing “the risk of harm to children”.
A formal requirement issued to the provider said children “must” be safeguarded and protected from harm, including updated policies, improved recording systems and ensuring staff fully understand child protection procedures.
The report noted that urgent safeguarding improvements had already been progressed by the nursery, the education authority and the new management team following the inspection. Inspectors later confirmed they were satisfied with the immediate response taken.
Inspectors said the nursery now requires time to make further improvements and confirmed both Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate will return within the next year for another inspection.