New nursery set to open in Ardersier after shock closure of Country Bumpkins
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A HIGHLAND-BASED nursery is branching out to Ardersier – taking over the space left empty after the sudden closure of Country Bumpkins nursery last summer.
Rosebuds Daycare has been operating at Coylumbridge, near Aviemore, for more than a decade and is now working towards opening its second branch, aiming to be up and running in a few months.
Manager Michaela McGarvey said: “We felt now would be a good opportunity to expand and take on the old school and bring our unique style to embrace new children and their families. We will endeavour to bring the Rosebuds’ ethos of ‘children first’ with us.
“Our aim is to be open by late spring/early summer, but we cannot do this until we are fully registered with the Care Inspectorate and they have a back log of registrations they are currently working through.
“We aim to provide children with an environment to thrive and learn, with opportunities to enhance all aspects of their development, whilst ensuring they are having fun.”
This takeover comes after the private nursery formerly operating in the premises, Country Bumpkins, was closed overnight in June 2023, leaving staff and families "heartbroken and upset" and parents having to find last-minute alternatives for childcare.
Now, Ms McGarvey said she is looking forward to meeting families in the area, with a public event in the planning.
She said: “We will be holding an open evening where parents can meet senior members of the Rosebuds team and have an opportunity to discuss with current parents what their experiences are being part of the Rosebuds family.
“We are very excited about meeting new families in the area and will share a date for our open evening as soon as possible.”
A Care Inspectorate report in 2021 saw Rosebuds heavily criticised by the Care Inspectorate, particularly around measures for infection control, though the nursery contested a number of the findings, and criticised the way the report was compiled.
It won the backing of many parents at the time and a follow-up inspection just months later recorded a significantly more positive picture.
Anyone interested in contacting the nursery ahead of its opening can get in touch at info.rosebudsdaycare@gmail.com.
