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Kirkmichael Early Years Centre Day Care of Children has been given a clean bill of health by the Care Inspectorate. The nursery, on Woodside Avenue, Kirkmichael, was graded ‘good’ across three quality indicators after an unannounced spot check on service provision at the start of October. Among the key messages the Care Inspectorate said children felt safe and cared for through “warm, nurturing relationships.” Children were “engaged in play” that “supported” their learning and development. And staff “responded well” to children’s individual needs, though planning “needs strengthened.” Children’s voices were “starting to influence” their learning experiences, while families were “welcomed,” with communication and involvement “improving.” And leadership at the council-run service supported early improvements through “reflective practice.” Kirkmichael Early Years Centre provides a care service to a maximum of 12 children aged two years to those not attending school. At the time of inspection, seven children were registered with the service. The service operates from a dedicated space within Kirkmichael Primary School . An extract from the Care Inspectorate report said: “There were important strengths within the setting’s work and some aspects which could benefit from improvement. “Children benefited from a clear and shared vision that promoted thinking skills, wellbeing, and a love of learning.” The report continues: “Staff created a respectful and nurturing environment where children felt safe and confident. Children demonstrated awareness of their rights, including the right to be safe and to have food and water, which supported their emotional security and sense of belonging.” The service’s aim, ‘We may be small but we’ve got it all,’ reflected “ambition and pride,” says the report and the parent handbook, currently being updated, “reinforced the commitment” to giving children the “best possible start in life.” The report goes on: “While input from nursery children and families was limited, staff recognised the importance of involving them more meaningfully. Children were observed to be happy, engaged, and supported in their learning, contributing to positive outcomes in wellbeing and development.” In the quality indicators relating to leadership, children’s play and learning and supporting children to achieve, these were all graded ‘good.’ The report adds: “Support from the local authority helped staff build confidence in observation, planning, and tracking, which contributed to more intentional and responsive interactions with children. “Staff were committed to improving their understanding of the service’s vision and values, which, once fully aligned with the early years setting, will further enhance consistency in practice and outcomes for children.”
