Integrated Inspection by the
Care Commission and
HM Inspectorate of Education of
Dumbarton Academy Crèche
West Dunbartonshire Council
2 June 2004
The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act, 2001, requires that the Care Commission
inspect all care services covered by the Act every year to monitor the quality of care
provided. In accordance with the Act, the Care Commission and HM Inspectorate of
Education carry out integrated inspections of the quality of care and education. In
doing this, inspection teams take account of National Care Standards, Early Education
and Childcare up to the age of 16, and The Child at the Centre. The following
standards and related quality indicators were used in the recent inspection.
National Care Standard
Child at the Centre Quality Indicator
Standard 2 – A Safe Environment
Resources
Standard 4 – Engaging with Children
Development and learning through play
Standard 5 – Quality of Experience
Curriculum
Children’s development and learning
Support for children and families
Standard 6 – Support and Development
Standard 14 – Well-managed Service
Management, Leadership and Quality
Assurance
Evaluations made using HMIE quality indicators use the following scale, and these
words are used in the report to describe the team’s judgements:
Very good
Good
Fair
Unsatisfactory
:
:
:
:
major strengths
strengths outweigh weaknesses
some important weaknesses
major weaknesses
Reports contain Recommendations which are intended to support improvements in
the quality of service.
Any Requirements refer to actions which must be taken by service providers to ensure
that regulations are met and there is compliance with relevant legislation. In these
cases the regulation(s) to which requirements refer will be noted clearly and
timescales given.
HOW TO CONTACT US
Copies of this report have been sent to the headteacher, staff and
education authority. Copies are also available on the Care
Commission website: www.carecommission.com and HMIE website:
www.hmie.gov.uk.
Should you wish to comment on or make a complaint about any
aspect of the inspection or about this report you should write either to
the Care Commission or to HM Inspectorate of Education at the
address below. If you are still dissatisfied with our services, you can
contact your member of the Scottish Parliament (or, if you prefer, any
other MSP). You can also contact the Scottish Parliamentary
Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is fully independent and has powers
to investigate complaints about Government departments and
Agencies.
Complaints Co-ordinator
Headquarters
Care Commission
Compass House
Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY
Hazel Dewart
HM Inspectorate of Education
Saughton House
Broomhouse Drive
EDINBURGH
EH11 3XD
Crown Copyright 2004
Care Commission
HM Inspectorate of Education
This report may be reproduced in whole or in part, except for
commercial purposes or in connection with a prospectus or
advertisement, provided that the source and date thereof are stated.
_______________________________
Integrated Inspection by the
Care Commission and
HM Inspectorate of Education of
Dumbarton Academy Crèche
West Dumbartonshire Council
Introduction
Dumbarton Academy Crèche was inspected in February 2004 as
part of the integrated inspection programme by the Care
Commission and HM Inspectorate of Education. The nursery
catered for children from three to five years of age. At the time of
the inspection the roll was 25.
The environment
The crèche was located in a room within the secondary school.
Although space was limited, staff had made good use of the
available space to ensure children could play independently and
in small groups. The playroom was bright and welcoming and
was in a good state of decoration and repair. Photographs and
children’s work provided attractive displays.
Staff had started to put in place risk assessments and had
correctly identified the security system as an area in need of
improvement. Fire evacuation procedures were displayed in the
playroom. However, fire directional signage was missing or
inaccurate. A further fire risk assessment should be carried out to
identify areas for improvement. Arrangements for hand washing
and changing children within the toilet shared with the school
were inadequate. Outdoor play opportunities had been correctly
identified as an area for improvement and a secure outdoor play
area was planned. The play equipment was clean and well
maintained.
Quality of children’s experience
Staff had very good relationships with children and were
responsive to their individual needs. They were well informed
about children’s development and learning. Staff interacted
positively with children and used questions effectively to extend
their learning. They provided children with very good
opportunities to play individually or in groups. Parents had very
good opportunities to discuss their child’s progress with nursery
staff.
Children had access to a wide range of play activities appropriate
to their needs and were able to make choices.
•
The programme for emotional, personal and social
development was very good. Staff encouraged children to
take responsibilities, to understand the need for simple rules
and show awareness of others. Children had very good
opportunities to exercise choice in their play activities.
Children responded well showing confidence and
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co-operation in their play. They were comfortable with the
nursery routines.
•
The programme for communication and language was very
good. It offered a wide range of contexts for children to talk,
listen and enjoy books. Children were developing very good
skills in talking in small groups and listening carefully to
instructions and stories. The children had very good skills in
early reading and some could identify letters and names.
Children had very good opportunities for developing early
writing skills through play.
•
The programme for knowledge and understanding of the
world was very good. Staff provided an extensive range of
experiences and children were beginning to develop their
understanding of the world around them. There were very
good opportunities for children to undertake simple
investigations and solve problems through sand and water
play. Children were beginning to develop their understanding
of the world around them and had gained some experience of
a range of festivals. They were making progress in learning
colours, shapes and numbers.
•
The programme for expressive and aesthetic development
was very good. Children responded with enthusiasm to the
various role-play contexts on offer. They had very good
opportunities to express themselves through a wide range of
appropriate art and craft activities. They sang regularly. Staff
interacted well and encouraged children to take the lead
where appropriate.
•
The programme for physical development and movement was
good. Children were developing good hand control through a
variety of activities. They had opportunities to participate in
action songs and games. However, energetic play was
limited to a weekly gym time due to the security needs in the
outdoor area.
Support for children and families
The very committed staff responded very well to the support
needs of children and families and were sensitive to individual
circumstances. Effective procedures were in place for
assessment and recording. Staff provided a well balanced
programme to meet the needs of individual children.
Parents were encouraged and supported to take part in the
nursery and their child’s learning. Parents and carers who
responded to the pre-inspection questionnaire were satisfied with
most aspects of the work of the crèche.
Management
The depute headteacher provided very effective leadership. She
displayed a high level of professional competence and was
strongly committed to the future development of the crèche. She
had established very good relationships with parents and staff
and promoted effective teamwork. Good links had been
developed within the community.
Arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the work of the
crèche were effective. Policies and procedures had been revised,
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updated and shared with staff. Copies of the revised policies
were located in the crèche to support staff. This comprehensive
information had yet to be made available to parents.
Staff recruitment procedures were in line with local authority
guidance, and staffing levels were appropriate. All staff were
appropriately qualified. They were well deployed and worked hard
to further improve the quality of service. They were continuing to
develop their knowledge, skills and experience through
attendance at a range of useful training courses.
Key strengths
•
The very committed and effective staff team.
•
The very good leadership of the depute headteacher.
•
The very good programmes in emotional, personal and social
development, communication and language, knowledge and
understanding of the world and expressive and aesthetic
development.
•
The positive links within the community.
Recommendations for improvement
•
The education authority, in consultation with the crèche,
should review arrangements for security and safety within the
premises.
•
Improve toilet facilities for children.
•
Develop a secure outdoor play area.
Care Commission Officers and HM Inspectors have asked the
pre-school centre and Education Authority to prepare an action
plan indicating how they will address the main findings of the
report. Where requirements are made, the action plan should
include timescales to deal with these. The plan will be available
to parents and carers. In liaison with the pre-school centre and
Education Authority, Care Commission Officers and
HM Inspectors will monitor progress to ensure improvements are
in line with the main findings of the report.
Morag Kelly
Care Commission
Anne Hunter
HM Inspectorate of Education
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