Nurseries in Argyll & Bute

There are 71 nurseries and pre-schools on the Care Inspectorate register in Argyll & Bute council area, and 6 other childcare settings such as out-of-school clubs.

Inspection grades in Argyll & Bute

Care Inspectorate grades: 70 settings (7 Excellent, 102 Very good, 149 Good, 20 Adequate, 1 Weak)

Grades are shown only where the inspectorate has published the report.

Childminders and home childcarers

40 registered childminders in Argyll & Bute (Care Inspectorate, as at 30 September 2026)

Childminders look after children in their own homes. We show how many are registered, not who they are.

Nurseries and pre-schools

Apple Tree Nursery - Nursery, Isle Of Bute PA20 0AY, 40 places
Care Inspectorate, 8 August 2023: Very good in 4 key questions
Ardrishaig Early Learning and Childcare - Nursery, Lochgilphead PA30 8HF, 20 places
Care Inspectorate, 24 October 2025: Good in 4 key questions
Arinagour Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Isle of Coll PA78 6TA, 8 places
Care Inspectorate, 17 March 2026: Very good in 2 key questions, Good in 2 key questions
Arrochar Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Alexandria G83 7DG, 17 places
Care Inspectorate, 23 January 2020: Excellent in 2 key questions, Very good in 2 key questions
B.A.S.I.C. and Corner House Nursery - Nursery, Helensburgh G84 7QQ, 70 places
Care Inspectorate, 4 November 2025: Good in 1 key question, Adequate in 3 key questions
Bloomfield Childcare Lochgilphead - Nursery, Lochgilphead PA31 8SF, 58 places
Care Inspectorate, 16 January 2026: Good in 2 key questions, Adequate in 2 key questions
Bowmore Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Isle of Islay PA43 7JX, 30 places
Care Inspectorate, 21 January 2020: Very good in 3 key questions, Good in 1 key question
Bunessan Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Isle of Mull PA67 6DG, 14 places
Care Inspectorate, 12 May 2025: Very good in 2 key questions, Good in 2 key questions
Cairndow Community Childcare - Nursery, Cairndow PA26 8BL, 24 places
Care Inspectorate, 9 January 2026: Very good in 1 key question, Good in 3 key questions
Campbeltown Aqualibrium Early Learning and Childcare - Nursery, Campbeltown PA28 6EG, 24 places
Care Inspectorate, 17 March 2022: Good in 4 key questions
Cardross Early Learning and Childcare - Nursery, Cardross G82 5PN, 30 places
Care Inspectorate, 6 September 2022: Very good in 1 key question, Good in 3 key questions
Carradale Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Campbeltown PA28 6SD, 10 places
Care Inspectorate, 6 February 2026: Very good in 2 key questions, Good in 2 key questions
Clyde Cottage Nursery Centre - Nursery, Dunoon PA23 8DB, 90 places
Care Inspectorate, 3 November 2023: Good in 4 key questions
Clyde Nursery - Nursery, Helensburgh G84 8HX, 56 places
Care Inspectorate, 26 July 2022: Very good in 2 key questions, Good in 2 key questions
Colgrain Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Helensburgh G84 7TZ, 40 places
Care Inspectorate, 9 September 2024: Very good in 4 key questions
Craignish Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Lochgilphead PA31 8QN, 16 places
Care Inspectorate, 24 April 2026: Very good in 2 key questions, Good in 1 key question, Adequate in 1 key question
Dalintober ELCC - Nursery, Campbeltown PA28 6HG, 54 places
Care Inspectorate, 15 May 2025: Good in 2 key questions, Adequate in 2 key questions
Dalmally Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Dalmally PA33 1BE, 16 places
Care Inspectorate, 17 November 2025: Very good in 3 key questions, Good in 1 key question
Drumfork Forest School and Out of School - Nursery, Helensburgh G84 9HL, 16 places
Care Inspectorate, 12 October 2022: Good in 4 key questions
Drumfork Nursery and Family Centre - Nursery, Helensburgh G84 9HL, 76 places
Care Inspectorate, 13 May 2026: Good in 1 key question, Adequate in 3 key questions
Drumlemble Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Campbeltown PA28 6PW, 15 places
Care Inspectorate, 1 February 2019: Good in 4 key questions
Dunbeg Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Oban PA37 1QF, 40 places
Care Inspectorate, 31 January 2025: Very good in 1 key question, Good in 3 key questions
Easdale Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Oban PA34 4RF, 12 places
Care Inspectorate, 14 January 2020: Very good in 4 key questions
Garelochhead Primary Early Learning and Childcare - Nursery, Helensburgh G84 0DG, 40 places
Care Inspectorate, 5 December 2025: Very good in 1 key question, Good in 3 key questions
Gigha Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Isle of Gigha PA41 7AA, 10 places
Care Inspectorate, 26 September 2024: Good in 4 key questions
Inveraray Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Inveraray PA32 8YH, 30 places
Care Inspectorate, 30 October 2019: Very good in 1 key question, Good in 3 key questions
Iona Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Isle of Iona PA76 6SJ, 10 places
Care Inspectorate, 26 February 2026: Very good in 3 key questions, Good in 1 key question
John Logie Baird Primary Pre 5 - Nursery, Helensburgh G84 9EP, 75 places
Care Inspectorate, 7 November 2022: Very good in 3 key questions, Good in 1 key question
Kanga Rhu Preschool - Nursery, Helensburgh G84 8JF, 10 places
Care Inspectorate, 30 June 2021: Good in 4 key questions
Keills Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Isle of Islay PA46 7RF, 13 places
Care Inspectorate, 11 November 2025: Good in 4 key questions
Kilchattan Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Isle of Colonsay PA61 7YR, 10 places
Care Inspectorate, 8 May 2024: Very good in 3 key questions, Good in 1 key question
Kilcreggan Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Helensburgh G84 0HT, 40 places
Care Inspectorate, 28 August 2025: Good in 4 key questions
Kilmartin Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Lochgilphead PA31 8QF, 24 places
Care Inspectorate, 6 June 2025: Good in 4 key questions
Kilmodan Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Dunoon PA22 3AE, 10 places
Care Inspectorate, 2 October 2025: Very good in 2 key questions, Good in 2 key questions
Kirn Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Kirn PA23 8EH, 40 places
Care Inspectorate, 30 January 2026: Very good in 4 key questions
Lismore Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Oban PA34 5UG, 6 places
Care Inspectorate, 13 June 2019: Very good in 1 key question, Good in 3 key questions
Lochgilphead Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Lochgilphead PA31 8AA, 28 places
Care Inspectorate, 26 February 2020: Very good in 1 key question, Good in 3 key questions
Lochgoilhead Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Cairndow PA24 8AQ, 16 places
Care Inspectorate, 22 November 2019: Very good in 2 key questions, Good in 2 key questions
Lochnell Pre Five Nursery Unit - Nursery, Oban PA37 1QS, 32 places
Care Inspectorate, 27 March 2024: Good in 4 key questions
Lomond School Nursery - Nursery, Helensburgh G84 9JX, 24 places
Care Inspectorate, 23 February 2023: Excellent in 4 key questions
MAKI Pups - Nursery, Lochgilphead PA31 8RR, 24 places
Care Inspectorate, 7 December 2021: Good in 4 key questions
Meadows Under Fives Group - Nursery, Campbeltown PA28 6LE, 21 places
Care Inspectorate, 27 July 2023: Very good in 3 key questions, Good in 1 key question
Mulberry Bush Nursery - Nursery, Helensburgh G84 7EY, 114 places
Care Inspectorate, 11 November 2019: Excellent in 1 key question, Very good in 2 key questions, Good in 1 key question
Nursery Rhymes Childcare Ltd - Nursery, Dumbarton G82 5NT, 57 places
Care Inspectorate, 26 June 2023: Good in 4 key questions
Oban's 1st Steps Day Nursery Ltd. - Nursery, Oban PA34 5JL, 61 places
Care Inspectorate, 28 July 2026: Good in 2 key questions, Adequate in 1 key question, Weak in 1 key question
Park Primary Family Learning Centre - Nursery, Oban PA34 5AU, 20 places
Care Inspectorate, 21 June 2017: Very good in 4 key questions
Patchwork Family Centre SCIO - Nursery, Dunoon PA23 7PH, 36 places
Port Charlotte Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Isle of Islay PA48 7TW, 20 places
Care Inspectorate, 13 November 2025: Very good in 3 key questions, Good in 1 key question
Port Ellen Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Isle of Islay PA42 7BW, 32 places
Care Inspectorate, 17 June 2025: Very good in 4 key questions
Rhunahaorine Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Tarbert PA29 6XG, 15 places
Care Inspectorate, 24 October 2025: Very good in 1 key question, Good in 2 key questions, Adequate in 1 key question
Rockfield Primary Pre Five Unit. - Nursery, Oban PA34 4SB, 40 places
Care Inspectorate, 27 November 2025: Very good in 1 key question, Good in 3 key questions
Rosneath Early Learning and Childcare - Nursery, Helensburgh G84 0RJ, 24 places
Care Inspectorate, 1 July 2022: Very good in 3 key questions, Good in 1 key question
Rothesay Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Isle of Bute PA20 9JH, 98 places
Care Inspectorate, 11 June 2026: Very good in 2 key questions, Good in 2 key questions
Salen Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Isle of Mull PA72 6JG, 42 places
Care Inspectorate, 12 December 2022: Good in 4 key questions
Sandbank Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Dunoon PA23 8PW, 40 places
Care Inspectorate, 20 March 2026: Very good in 3 key questions, Good in 1 key question
Silver Birch Outdoor Nursery - Nursery, Dunoon PA23 8JU, 24 places
Care Inspectorate, 15 June 2023: Good in 4 key questions
Small Isles Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Isle of Jura PA60 7XG, 16 places
Care Inspectorate, 19 June 2025: Good in 4 key questions
Soroba Young Family Centre - Nursery, Oban PA34 4YH, 40 places
Care Inspectorate, 26 March 2026: Very good in 3 key questions, Good in 1 key question
Stepping Stones Nursery - Nursery, Helensburgh G84 8DQ, 36 places
Care Inspectorate, 25 February 2026: Good in 4 key questions
St. Joseph's Primary Family Learning Centre - Nursery, Helensburgh G84 7LR, 56 places
Care Inspectorate, 23 September 2025: Very good in 4 key questions
Strachur Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Cairndow PA27 8DH, 18 places
Care Inspectorate, 28 May 2026: Good in 3 key questions, Adequate in 1 key question
Stramash Outdoor Nursery - Nursery, Oban PA34 5TU, 40 places
Care Inspectorate, 16 July 2025: Very good in 2 key questions, Good in 2 key questions
Strath of Appin Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Appin PA38 4BG, 16 places
Care Inspectorate, 10 June 2026: Very good in 1 key question, Good in 2 key questions, Adequate in 1 key question
Sunbeams Nursery - Nursery, Dunoon PA23 7SJ, 24 places
Care Inspectorate, 27 October 2023: Good in 4 key questions
Tarbert Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Tarbert PA29 6TE, 32 places
Care Inspectorate, 19 February 2019: Very good in 2 key questions, Good in 2 key questions
Taynuilt Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Taynuilt PA35 1JE, 24 places
Care Inspectorate, 7 May 2025: Good in 1 key question, Adequate in 3 key questions
Tayvallich Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Lochgilphead PA31 8PW, 11 places
Care Inspectorate, 3 March 2020: Very good in 4 key questions
Tighnabruaich Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Tighnabruaich PA21 2BE, 29 places
Care Inspectorate, 17 November 2025: Good in 1 key question, Adequate in 2 key questions
Tiree Primary Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Isle of Tiree PA77 6XA, 22 places
Care Inspectorate, 20 September 2023: Very good in 4 key questions
Tobermory Pre Five Unit - Nursery, Isle of Mull PA75 6PB, 29 places
Care Inspectorate, 17 June 2026: Very good in 2 key questions, Good in 2 key questions
Willowview Early Learning and Childcare - Nursery, Oban PA34 4SB, 64 places
Care Inspectorate, 25 May 2023: Good in 4 key questions

Out-of-school clubs and other childcare

Campbeltown Nursery Centre - Childcare setting, Campbeltown PA28 6LE, 38 places
Care Inspectorate, 31 January 2024: Very good in 3 key questions, Good in 1 key question
Community Support Network - Kintyre Network Centre - Childcare setting, Campbeltown PA28 6DB, 8 places
Care Inspectorate, 25 March 2026: Very good in 2 key questions, Good in 1 key question, Adequate in 1 key question
Lochgilphead After School Club - Out-of-school club, Lochgilphead PA31 8QX, 26 places
Care Inspectorate, 21 September 2021: Good in 4 key questions
Schools Out Oban - Out-of-school club, Oban PA34 5NY, 40 places
Care Inspectorate, 9 August 2019: Very good in 3 key questions, Good in 1 key question
Tarbert After School Care - Out-of-school club, Tarbert PA29 6SX, 16 places
Care Inspectorate, 12 June 2025: Very good in 1 key question, Good in 3 key questions
The Geilston Hall After School Club - Out-of-school club, Dumbarton G82 5PA, 30 places
Care Inspectorate, 26 June 2023: Very good in 2 key questions, Good in 2 key questions

Nursery groups with settings here

Argyll and Bute Council (54 here)

Care Inspectorate grades (Scotland)

The Care Inspectorate grades day care of children against key questions such as care, play and learning; setting; staff team; and leadership. Each is graded on a six-point scale: 6 Excellent, 5 Very good, 4 Good, 3 Adequate, 2 Weak, 1 Unsatisfactory.

Not every key question is graded at every inspection, so two settings may show different questions.

Source: Care Inspectorate

Funded early learning and childcare in Scotland

3 to 5 year olds can get up to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare a year. That is around 30 hours a week if used only in school term time, or around 22 hours a week if used all year.

Some 2 year olds can get funded early learning and childcare too.

Source: mygov.scot: Funded early learning and childcare (checked 31 October 2026)

Towns in Argyll & Bute

Schools in Argyll & Bute

Schools in Argyll & Bute council area
Achahoish Primary School - Primary
Ardrishaig Primary School - Primary
Arinagour Primary School - Primary
Arrochar Primary School - Primary
Barcaldine Primary School - Primary
Bowmore Primary Gaelic Unit - Primary
Bowmore Primary School - Primary
Bunessan Primary School - Primary
Bunessan Primary School Gaelic Unit - Primary
Cardross Primary School - Primary
Carradale Primary School - Primary
Castlehill Primary School - Primary

Sources: Care Inspectorate, registers as at 30 September 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.