A popular Ayrshire nursery has breezed through a spot check from the Care Inspectorate.
Alphabet Yard Day Care of Children, based in Ayr’s South Harbour Street, was described as a place where children experienced “warm and nurturing care,” and were “happy and progressing well.”
Alphabet Yard is a day care service for up to 59 children aged from birth to eight years of age. The nursery offers full and part day provision throughout the year.
As part of their findings the Care Inspectorate observed children who attended the setting, consulted with family members, spoke with staff and management and observed staff practice and daily life.
An extract from their report said: “Children experienced warm and nurturing care from a staff team who knew them well as individuals.
“Planning approaches were child centred, as a result children were happy and progressing well.
“Children were happy, settled and having fun. They had a clear sense of belonging in the service as staff actively promoted the rights of the child.”
Staff “worked well” as a team too and were “very motivated” to provide a service of a high standard, according to the findings.
The nursery was graded as ‘good’ across four of the Care Inspectorate’s quality indicators.
The report goes on: “Children had fun and were happy and relaxed during their time in the service.
“We saw that they were confident around staff and had formed trusting relationships with them.”
Staff also “recognised the benefits” of outdoor play and provided children with good opportunities to be outside, says the report.
And children accessed the community on a weekly basis through a variety of “organised activities” such as trips to the local beach, river area and shops.
One parent told the scrutiny body: “They certainly have opportunities for outdoor play. My son loves being in water or the rain splashing in puddles and they accommodate that with letting them out to the garden. He’s at his happiest outside and I love that he gets to enjoy that daily when he’s there.”
In addition, Children’s health and wellbeing was supported through the “effective use” of personal planning and they enjoyed eating together in a “relaxed atmosphere.”
The report noted: “The setting was comfortable, well-furnished and children benefited from plenty of natural light and ventilation.
“Indoor and outdoor areas were well maintained with good quality furnishings and equipment.”
The report adds: “The staff and management team engaged well during the inspection process and promoted a shared vision in delivering a quality service to all children and families. They were committed and improvement focussed.”
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