Wednesday May 13th 2026
Moat House, Gala Park
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A Galashiels family-run nursery is planning to more than double its capacity with a move to a new home.
Husband and wife Graeme and Leisa McIver, along with daughter Jessica, currently run a small family childcare business from their home in Elm Row, called Montessori at Home Childminding.
The business was launched in 2012 and is currently operating at full capacity.
Now an application has been submitted to Scottish Borders Council which would enable the nursery to move into larger premises.
The bid is for the change of use of offices and residential flat on the upper floors of Moat House at Gala Park.
The application would return the building to its original use as a childcare facility in the heart of the town.
A report supporting the application states: “We believe that the nursery would provide a benefit to parents in Galashiels and beyond, providing them with the option of wrap-around childcare not currently available in the town and giving them the opportunity to contribute to the local economy.
“At every Care Inspectorate inspection since 2012 the business has received nothing less than very good appraisals.
“Montessori at Home does not have to advertise vacant childcare spaces as we always have a waiting list of applicants based on word-of-mouth recommendations from existing parents.
“Whilst the schools in the town provide nursery places for children aged three years plus, there is currently no wrap-around nursery provision in Galashiels or Selkirk, and extremely limited provision, (through individual child-minders) for children aged 1–3.
“Working parents in places like Stow, Selkirk, Clovenfords, Tweedbank and all over the town of Galashiels travel to our childminding business. This is a common local experience.
“Under Care Inspectorate guidelines we are limited to an adult to child ratio of 1 to 3 allowing us to look after nine children in our family home. In a bespoke nursery environment, we would have the ability to accommodate more children.
“We believe that the size of the space available would grant us permission, (with the required staff ratios) to look after up to 40 children.
“However, our intention is to keep our levels set at around 20 – 25 children to ensure we continue to provide high quality care in a manageable environment that prioritises child development and personal growth rather than maximising commercial profit.”
Maria Montessori (1870 – 1952) was an Italian physician and educator best known for her philosophy of education.
The Montessori method of education involves children’s natural interests and activities rather than formal teaching methods.
Since the mid-1950’s, Moat House has been the offices of the local well-known Hogg and Thorburn Accountancy firm.
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