Glowing care report for new nursery facility in Boat of Garten
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A Boat of Garten primary school nursery has received a glowing report following an unannounced inspection.
The Care Inspectorate carried out the visit to the new facility on May 6 to evaluate two quality themes – care and support and environment.
In both cases, the provision was evaluated as five meaning 'very good'.
The nursery operates within Boat of Garten's primary school in premises which were opened thanks in large to a highly successful community fundraising campaign.
The venue opened in August 2020 and boasts a large, purpose built playroom containing an entrance hallway, an open plan kitchen area, children's toilets and direct access to a large, secure outdoor play area.
Deshar primary nursery runs from Monday to Friday, in term time, and is registered to provide care for up to 24 children aged three to not yet attending school, and the service is delivered by Highland Council.
Inspectors stated in their newly published report: "During our visit, we observed children in the nursery were engaged in their play and relaxed in their environment.
"Children were playing cooperatively with their peers and were happy to engage with us...
"We found major strengths in supporting positive outcomes for people, with very few areas for improvement.
"Children were confident, happy and meaningfully involved in their play during our inspection. Staff had developed warm and caring relationships with children, supporting them to develop their imagination and play.
"Children were leading their play, independently accessing all areas of the setting. High quality resources had been provided to extend children's learning throughout the setting based on their interests.
"Children had planted seeds and staff encouraged them to learn about how to look after them, using skilled questioning during children's play to extend learning. Play experiences supported numeracy, literacy and language development as well as children's understanding of the world around them.
"As a result, children were supported to develop lifelong skills."
The inspectors said the children could access cosy, safe spaces both inside and outside.
"They were able to play free from interruptions and they were able to rest and relax when they chose to. As a result of this, children felt safe and secure," the report stated.
However, they also pointed to a couple of areas were improvements could be made to the service.
The inspectors stated: "There were missed opportunities for children to be independent and develop skills during the lunchtime experience. We discussed with the management team exploring opportunities for children to be more active in selecting their cutlery, serving themselves and pouring drinks.
"This would mean that staff would have more time to support children when they needed help and provide a positive, social experience.
"There were some real, natural and loose parts available to children. Children would benefit from more real life resources within the setting...
"We discussed with the management team adding some homely touches to the indoor environment which would enhance the welcoming feel of the setting."
Following the inspection, parents were contacted by the service and three parents responded with positive comments.
One parent stated: ""The nursery building is lovely. It's bright and the free flow system is wonderful."
The nursery still has places available for the 2022/23 session.
The full report can be read here
