STAFF deployment is to be reviewed at a Borders nursery after an inspection judged that it “required attention”.

An inspector from the Care Inspectorate paid an unannounced visit to Gordon Primary School Nursery on September 16.

The Scottish Border Council-run nursery is registered to provide a day care of children service for a maximum of 24 pupils.

A key message of the report was that children were cared for by staff who were “warm, compassionate and nurturing”.

Children also benefited from a wide range of resources that enabled them to explore their creativity.

It also found that youngsters benefited from a staff team and headteacher who were committed to continuous improvement.

However, areas of improvement were identified.

Lunch times should be reviewed to ensure children “feel settled and secure” and it was found that, at times, “staffing levels did not consistently allow children to lead their play and learning”.

The report stated: “For example, the effective deployment of staff meant at times children could not move freely between the indoor and outdoor environment.

“This meant the service could not always meet children’s individual play choices. There were also times when children’s safety was compromised due to staff having to attend to children’s individual support needs.”

The nursery received three ratings of ‘good’ – for the quality of care, play and learning, its setting and leadership and was deemed ‘adequate’ for how good was its staff team.

The report states: “Staff deployment requires attention and the local authority have assured the Care Inspectorate that staff deployment would be reviewed.

“This would ensure children’s safety, well-being and overall early learning and childcare experience would not be compromised.”

A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson said: “Council officers are working closely with the setting to ensure staffing levels reflect the needs of learners at all times.”