A council-run nursery in Ayrshire, Struthers Early Years Centre Day Care of Children, with a significant budget of £3.3 million, is now under the scrutiny of the Care Inspectorate. Located in Castle Stuart Walk, Troon, the nursery opened its doors in April 2023 and has recently come under the microscope for its service provision. During a recent unannounced visit by the Care Inspectorate, the nursery was graded as ‘good’ across two quality indicators and ‘adequate’ across two others.
The Care Inspectorate’s report highlighted that children at the nursery were described as “happy, confident and secure” in the bright environment. Staff were praised for being “friendly and welcoming,” building “respectful relationships” with the children. The report also commended the provision of “regular access” to outdoor play to support the children’s wellbeing. However, an area for improvement was identified regarding play and learning, with the Care Inspectorate recommending that children should be more involved in leading their play and learning experiences.
The nursery, which can cater to a maximum of 110 children not yet attending primary school at any one time, has recently experienced a significant increase in both size and numbers of children and staff, along with a premises move. The Care Inspectorate has called for the implementation of personal plans to ensure all staff are aware of and can meet the individual needs of each child. Additionally, improvements in health and wellbeing practices were also highlighted as necessary for promoting positive outcomes.
In specific quality indicators relating to setting and care, play and learning, the nursery received a ‘good’ grading. However, in the quality indicators concerning leadership and the staff team, the Care Inspectorate graded them as ‘adequate.’ The report emphasised the importance of nurturing and respectful interactions between staff and children to ensure all children feel included and valued, while also calling for enhancements in the monitoring and supervision of children’s care and support needs.
Overall, the Care Inspectorate’s report on Struthers Early Years Centre Day Care of Children recognises the positive aspects of the nursery’s services while also highlighting areas for further development and improvement to ensure the highest quality provision for the children under its care.