The findings of a Care Inspectorate report on a Barrhead nursery were published this week.
Two inspectors carried out an unannounced inspection of Railway Cottage Nursery on Carlibar Road on November 21.
Using a six-point scale where 1 is unsatisfactory and 6 is excellent, it was given a 4, meaning good, for ‘how good is our leadership?’ and ‘how good is our staff team?’.
The two other categories assessed, ‘how good is our care, play and learning?’ and ‘how good is our setting?’, were rated as 3, meaning adequate.
The report also contained several key messages.
It was found that children benefited from a staff team who worked well together and had created a welcoming, inclusive environment.
It was also noted that children experienced sensitive and respectful caregiving from staff who were responsive to their changeable interests.
The report said that children were spoken and listened to in ways that encouraged them to feel valued and included and staff had high aspirations to enable children to be successful.
Strong leadership of the service "supported staff to have high aspirations and confidence in their capacity to support children and families to reach their full potential."
Adaptations to staffing arrangements and practices during lunchtime routines for children aged 0 to 2 years were identified and advised.
Regular planned outdoor play opportunities within park and woodland spaces beyond the nursery setting were also advised to further increase opportunities for children to experience fresh air and enjoy challenging play.
It also noted that indoor and outdoor play areas required to be monitored to ensure play materials were attractive, captured children's sustained interest and were suitable for children's stage of development.
Finally, it was found that approaches for supporting children's leadership of their collaborative play projects required further development.
Railway Cottage Nursery provides a care service to a maximum of 32 children from birth to those not yet attending primary school, including nine children from birth to under two years and 23 children from two years to those not yet attending primary school (within this number a maximum of 15 children will be aged two to under three years).
The service is provided by Glens Management Limited from a renovated property and has sole use of the premises which have a secure door entry.
There are two main playrooms and a large outdoor play area with areas that provided shelter outdoors.
To prepare for the inspection, the Care Inspectorate reviewed information about the service, including previous inspection findings, registration information, information submitted by the service and intelligence gathered throughout the inspection year.
In making their evaluations they spoke with some of the children using the service, reviewed survey responses from 14 parents whose children attend the service and spoke with the service provider, manager and eight members of staff.
They also observed practice and staff interactions with children, and reviewed documents.
The report stated that no complaints have been upheld since the last inspection.
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