Plockton Primary School Nursery in Ross-shire makes ‘good progress’ responding to Care Inspectorate recommendations for improvements
A nursery “has made good progress” implementing improvements since inspectors made a number of recommendations earlier this year, the Care Inspectorate has said.
The body, which routinely monitors education and care provision across Scotland, made the comments about Plockton Primary School Nursery after an unannounced inspection of the site in September to see if the findings of a an earlier inspection had been acted upon.
The nursery, which is located within Plockton Primary School and can care for up to 15 children, was previously inspected in April - when a number of recommendations were made.
And the Care Inspectorate said that it found arrangements had been implemented since then.
It also re-evaluated the strength of the staff team as "adequate".
In their report, the inspectors said: "Arrangements to review nursery management time to support the effective management and leadership of the nursery had been implemented and was supporting improved outcomes for children.
"Children's wellbeing was supported through effective use of personal planning.
"Improvements had been made to mealtimes and children benefited from sociable, relaxed and supported experiences during snack and lunch.
"Progress has been made to develop observation and planning approaches, although the identification and planning of next steps for children was not yet fully embedded.
"Infection prevention and control process had improved which supported children to be safe and healthy.
"Quality assurance processes had been reviewed and the service had made good progress with improvements identified from the previous inspection.
"Deployment and levels of staff were effective, ensuring positive outcomes for children."
Noting the improved score for the strength of the staff team - which was scored as three (adequate) on a scale of one (unsatisfactory) to six (excellent) - the inspectors added: "As a result of the progress made, this quality indicator has been re-evaluated as adequate, where strengths only just outweigh weaknesses.
"Deployment and levels of staff were effective, ensuring positive outcomes for children. A previous requirement had been made around ensuring children's care and support needs were met through effective staffing arrangements. This requirement has been met. "
They added that, of six recommendations for improvement at the nursery after the initial inspection, only one had not been met in its entirety by the time of the September follow-up.
And even that recommendation - that the nursery "should ensure staff access training and development opportunities appropriate to their role, and apply this in practice" - had seen progress.
Commenting on the work done there, the inspectors said: "Progress has been made within this area for improvement. However, some planning and observation processes require some additional time to be embedded so this area for improvement will continue."
