SCOTLAND’S care watchdog says it’s satisfied that “all reasonable steps” have been taken to resolve a complaint made by a parent about a nursery in Helensburgh.

Mum-of-two Mable Brown lodged a complaint with the Care Inspectorate alleging shortcomings in safeguarding issues and Covid protection measures at Drumfork Nursery, which until recently looked after her two-year-old son.

Mable contacted the Advertiser to raise her concerns after claiming the nursery hadn’t told her anything about an incident in which a staff member allegedly took a picture of her son on their personal mobile phone and shared it with a friend without Mable’s consent or knowledge.

But the nursery’s directors say that alleged incident happened before they took over the service 16 months ago.

Mable also claimed her son had been unfairly excluded from the nursery after her other child was confirmed as a close contact of a positive Covid case.

Mable said she felt let down by the lack of communication from management at the nursery over the alleged photograph, and still does not know the full facts of the incident.

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“To this day,” she said, “I still don’t know what kind of pictures were taken of my son.

“I asked the nursery to inform the police, and they were satisfied that a suitable investigation had been carried out by the nursery.

“All I know is what I was told by the police. The nursery have still not told me anything.”

The relationship between the family and the nursery has been strained further in recent weeks after what Mable claimed was the unfair exclusion of her son due to Covid rules.

Mable said: “I had to continue paying his fees for him to isolate because he was a contact of a contact.

“I emailed the Care Inspectorate as I believed this was unlawful exclusion of my child.”

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She added: "He seemed happy enough, and when it came down to the day-to-day care he was receiving I was actually very supportive of them [the nursery].

“I would like to mediate with them but there has been too much love lost now.

“All we hear is how beautiful the nursery is, and how great a facility it is, but they’re very slippy with the things that really matter.”

The Drumfork facility, which includes a family centre, nursery and out-of-school care service, was taken over by David and Roanna Wood in March of last year.

Weeks earlier the Advertiser had revealed the facility’s future was in doubt unless new proprietors could be found after the previous proprietors decided to move on.

That bombshell news came less than a month after the Princess Royal visited Helensburgh to officially open the Drumfork Centre after a £2 million refurbishment project.

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The directors of the Drumfork Family Centre, Nursery and Out-of-School Service said in a statement: “The nursery takes the safety of its children and staff seriously.

“Whilst we are aware that a complaint has been made to the Care Inspectorate, we are yet to be informed of the details.

“We will cooperate fully with any Care Inspectorate investigation.

“In relation to the allegation surrounding a photograph, this is a historic case pertaining to one member of staff who no longer works for the company.

“The alleged incident also happened prior to our takeover of the business in March 2020. All relevant bodies including Police Scotland were informed and no image was ever found.

“In relation to the allegation of exclusion, the nursery followed best practice guidance from Care Inspectorate and Health Protection Scotland.

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“Our policy applies to all our families and staff. We have recently had a virtual inspection which included an assessment of our Covid processes and the outcome of the inspection was very positive.”

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said: “A concern was raised with us about this service and we have considered the information given to us carefully.

“We have discussed this with the nursery and are satisfied that all reasonable steps have been taken to address this concern.

“We continue to work closely with the care service to ensure children experience good quality, safe care which meets their needs and respects their rights.

“Care services must follow national guidance in relation to Covid-19 but they can impose further restrictions in relation to excluding children because of possible exposure if they choose.”

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