Badenoch nursery school praised for getting tots off to great start in life

A Badenoch school’s nursery is providing plenty of TLC as well as a good formative education for tots, inspectors have found after their recent visit.

The Kingussie Primary School facility was awarded five stars and four stars much to the delight of staff, parents and no doubt tots.

Children experienced ‘very warm, caring and nurturing support from staff who knew them very well’.

The inspectors also found following there unannounced visit to the premises on December 3, last year, that:

• children were safe, loved and secure in their attachments with staff.

• Children were developing their curiosity, imagination and problem solving skills through high

quality play experiences.

• The manager and staff were committed to the ongoing development of the service.

• Children were very happy and engaged, and having fun taking part in various activities both

indoors and outdoors.

• Staff worked well as a team and were committed to providing children with a service of a very high standard.

Isabel Forrest, headteacher at Kingussie Primary School, said: "We are absolutely delighted with such a positive report from the Care Inspectorate.

“It recognises all the hard work and dedication of our wonderful ELC team to make our nursery a caring, happy learning environment."

Inspectors use a six point scale where 1 is unsatisfactory and 6 is excellent and marked the nursery as follows:

How good is our care, play and learning? 4 (good)

How good is our setting? 4 (good)

How good is our leadership? (very good)

How good is our staff team? (very good)

Inspectors stated in their report: “Children were very happy, settled and having fun as they played alongside or with friends.

“Children received nurturing care and support from kind, caring and friendly staff.

“Staff valued children's voice and sensitively listened to their requests, which told us that their views and opinions mattered.

“Children were effectively supported through well timed and thoughtful interactions which contributed to their sense of security and promoted their overall wellbeing.

“We observed staff who skilfully provided reassurance, praised children and offered cuddles and love when needed.

“This resulted in children who had formed strong and trusting relationships with staff which developed their sense of worth and enabled them to thrive.”

Snack and lunchtimes were ‘relaxed, sociable and unhurried’.

Families were meaningfully engaged in their child's play, learning and development.

Staff ensured that parents were well informed of children's learning, progression and next steps, and were encouraged to give their feedback.

The nursery is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of 21 children at any one time, aged three years to an age to attend primary school.

The accommodation comprises of two playrooms with kitchen facilities, a reception area and toilets.

The nursery has access to a fully enclosed outdoor play area, as well as access to the school gym hall and large outdoor play areas.

Read the full report here by clicking and searching Kingussie Primary School nursery.

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