Nursery back in good books

Happy parents speak to inspector

Spittal Nursery in Rutherglen has been praised by the Care Inspectorate just three years after it received the lowest grade possible for staffing.

A report detailing their findings has now been published following a visit on Wednesday, June 1.

They spoke to 16 of the 40 children who attend the facility as well as 10 parents and five staff members.

Grades of “good” were handed out for quality of support, staffing and management and “very good” for environment. No recommendations were made by the inspectors.

The report read: “We found that the children were very happy and settled within the service. Children were confident and enthusiastic in their play and their interaction with staff and each other.

“Staff spoke with the children in a caring and respectful manner. Some of the children told the Inspector what they enjoyed best about nursery. This included playing with playdough, going outside, painting and puzzles.”

Parents and carers also praised the nursery, with one saying: “My son hates to miss nursery and counts down the days on holidays when he can return – that says everything.”

The report marks a major improvement on last June when the facility received three “adequate” grades and only one “good” grade.

In 2013 an unannounced report even graded staffing as “unsatisfactory”.

Inspectors were satisfied the facility was putting into place recommendations previously made.

The report concluded: “We found that the service was performing well.

“The management and staff demonstrated a positive approach towards the continued development of the nursery. The service provided a safe and stimulating environment for children. We observed children to be engaged in a range of activities where they co-operated well with staff and each other.

“Parents who returned our questionnaire and those spoken with on the day of the visit confirmed that they were very happy with the service their child received.”