Inspectors hail nursery for ‘caring staff team’
Watchdog delivers glowing report afterThree Bears visit
A Renfrew nursery has provided “nurturing support” for youngsters, say inspectors.
The Care Inspectorate rated the Three Bears facility as ‘good’ across all four areas examined during the recent probe.
They found that “several strengths impacted positively on outcomes for children and clearly outweighed areas for improvement”.
Quality of care and support, environment, staffing and management and leadership were examined during the visit by inspectors in March.
But the post-pandemic grades were down on those handed down in May 2019 following an unannounced visit, where caring and support and staffing - the only two categories assessed during the visit - were found to be “very good”.
In March 2021, a range of recommendations sparked by the covid pandemic were made to management, including an advisory to “revise the service’s written policies and procedures” in relation to operating during a pandemic.
They were advised to provide “clear information for staff” on reducing the risk of infection or cross contamination at the facility, as well as updating policies and procedures relating to the nursery’s operations during the pandemic.
Inspectors also called for a “robust monitoring system” to be put in place in a bid to “keep children safe and reduce the risk of infection” and pushed for measures to support and train staff in limiting the risk of cross-contamination and infection, to be brought in.
March’s review commented that nursery bosses had acted on the recommendations handed down last year.
Inspectors advised bosses at the nursery to consult with the fire service for “further advice” on “particular exit points”, saying: “To ensure children’s safety, there was a secure entry system at the front of the building and safety gates throughout the premises, both indoors and outdoors.
“We shared information on the Care Inspectorate’s safety awareness campaign SIMOA and advised the service to contact the Fire and Rescue Service for advice on particular exit points within the building.
“Taking account of current safety guidance and advice would assist in keeping children safe.”
Management and leadership were praised for the “important” partnership with parents, especially during the rise of the covid pandemic, when parental involvement was limited due to national restrictions.
The report details how: “The re-introduction of home links, such as welcome packs for new parents, lending library, story bags, travelling ted, together with information to support children’s rights, had built on these relationships.”
Staff also told inspectors they “felt included and their views valued and respected” and said training provided had had a “valuable impact” on their knowledge.
The report also found that: “Children received nurturing support from a warm and caring staff team who knew children well.
“Staff were responsive to their individual care and support needs and celebrated and praised children’s achievements.”
But they found that: “Although staff interactions were pleasant and supportive, more in-depth conversation and open questioning at times would extend and challenge children’s thinking and learning.”
The probe also called for “further discussions with staff” to create “more relaxed, learning areas within all playrooms” and advocated: “Increasing the range, number and variety of resources available to children in some areas would offer children more choice, the freedom to make decisions, support and extend their play.”
A sole recommendation emerged from the inspection, that the manager update and review medication policy and procedures “to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of children who may require medication at nursery”, in line with current guidelines.
The nursery provides a day care service for up to 106 pre-school youngsters from a renovated church building.
Inspectors observed children’s experiences both outdoors and indoors during the unannounced visit and spoke with children, staff and management, as well as speaking with eight parents.
They also reviewed documents before drawing their conclusions.
Children received nurturing support from a warm and caring staff team
The Care Inspectorate