AN East Renfrewshire nursery has received a glowing report card from education chiefs.

Inspectors from Education Scotland visited Hazeldene Family Centre, in Newton Mearns, in January and spoke with staff, as well as parents.

Now the watchdog has published its findings, with the report highlighting several key strengths.

These include the efforts of the headteacher and leadership team to successfully implement new ways of working, as well as a "strong culture of professional learning."

The report also highlighted that the school has "respectful, caring relationships" that contribute to a "welcoming, supportive ethos."

All staff were said to be supporting children to "feel secure, be curious and make very good progress across their learning."

However, some areas for improvement were identified and discussed with the headteacher and a representative from East Renfrewshire Council.

These include continuing to improve the use of environments and experiences to challenge all children to apply their skills and lead their own learning.

The nursery has also been asked to develop further the involvement of all staff, children and partners in leading improvements.

The report states: "Practitioners should develop further their skills and confidence in evaluating the impact of changes on children’s progress."

A spokesperson for Education Scotland said: “We are confident that the setting has the capacity to continue and improve and so we will make no more visits in connection with this inspection.”

Education Scotland also recently published the findings of inspections at Crookfur Primary School and Crookfur Family Centre, in Newton Mearns.

Both received a positive report, with only two areas for improvement identified.

Councillor Andrew Anderson, East Renfrewshire's education convener, said: “I am delighted with these reports for Crookfur Primary and Family Centre and Hazeldene Family Centre.

“They highlight the fantastic work which goes on every day across these early years and primary settings.

"All three centres have received really strong reports, which is testament to the hard work of the pupils, nursery children, staff, parents and wider school and family centre communities who all work closely to ensure their establishments continue to go from strength to strength.

“I also welcome the action plan that acknowledges the areas for improvement, which will further enhance this hard work.”