Marie Docherty, 84, Mary Broderick, 84, Margaret McLafferty, 68, Kathleen McLean, 77, and Mary Doyle, 81, are listed on an indictment containing 108 charges.
The allegations cover a 17-year period, with offences purported to have occurred primarily at Nazareth House sites in Aberdeen and Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, between 1965 and 1982.
Among the accusations is a claim that Docherty compelled a boy to eat rotten food, beat him with a wooden stick, made him stand while wearing soiled bedding, and locked him in a room.
A separate charge claims Docherty pressed a hot iron against a teenage girl's hand, repeatedly hit her on the head and body, and forced her to remain in bed.
Docherty is also accused of withholding food from another girl, causing her to lose consciousness.
The same girl purportedly had soap shoved into her mouth, which made her sick.
It is then alleged that her head was pushed into the vomit and she was ordered to consume it.
Further charges claim that Docherty, Broderick, and Doyle made certain children kiss a dead body.
The indictment additionally includes claims that children were punched, hit, kicked, force-fed, made to stand while wearing soiled bedding or clothing, and more.
A preliminary hearing was held at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday before Lord Renucci, who has set a further preliminary hearing for 22nd January 2027. The court has temporarily allocated eight weeks for a trial commencing on 30 March 2027 in Glasgow.
The defendants have previously submitted not guilty pleas.