Integrated Inspection by the
Care Commission and
HM Inspectorate of Education of
Dalbeattie Primary School Nursery Class
Dumfries and Galloway Council
13 October 2004
Dalbeattie Primary School Nursery Class
Southwick Road
Dalbeattie
DG5 4HR
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 the
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
Dalbeattie Primary School
Nursery Class
Dumfries and Galloway
Introduction
Dalbeattie Primary School Nursery Class was inspected in
May 2004 as part of the integrated inspection programme by the
Care Commission and HM Inspectorate of Education. The
nursery catered for children from age three years to entry to
primary school. At the time of the inspection the roll was 65.
The environment
Standard 2
The accommodation provided a secure, spacious and pleasant
environment. Overall, it was in a satisfactory state of decoration
and repair. However, more effective use of display was needed
to stimulate and encourage children’s interests.
Children played independently and in small groups. They had
some access to an outdoor area. Consideration should be given
to improving the play surface as well as ensuring greater access
to the outdoors.
Staff had completed local authority risk assessment
documentation. They should now extend this to ensure that the
room layout and in particular the use of large play equipment
supports the safe, free flow of play.
There were some measures in place to control the spread of
infection. However, greater emphasis should be placed on hand
washing. Staff ensured that facilities were clean and hygienic.
They had yet to devise a procedure to ensure the regular and
systematic cleaning of resources.
Quality of children’s experience
Standard 4 & 5
Staff had established very positive relationships with children.
They made consistent use of praise to recognise achievements.
Staff planned a variety of interesting activities for children.
However, the range of resources did not ensure appropriate
challenge for all children. The balance between activities children
choose for themselves and those directed by adults should be
monitored. Arrangements for planning and assessment were
good. However, short-term plans did not state clearly enough
what individual children were expected to learn. Parents received
regular informal information on their child’s progress.
1
Features of the programmes for children included the following.
•
The programme for emotional, personal and social
development was good. Children were happy, secure and
settled in nursery routines. They demonstrated good levels of
independence, though staff needed to develop these skills
further through activities such as snack preparation and
serving.
•
The programme for communication and language was good.
Children listened and talked very well to each other and to
staff. They confidently selected books and enjoyed listening
to stories. Opportunities for children to develop their skills in
early writing were more limited.
•
The programme for knowledge and understanding of the
world was good. Children were developing science skills
through planting, growing and regular baking activities. They
had a very good knowledge of number rhymes and colours.
The nursery had received an Eco award for work in recycling.
Staff now needed to make more use of the local environment
and introduce children to a wider range of technology.
•
In expressive and aesthetic development the programme was
good. Children concentrated well in role-play situations.
They sang a wide selection of songs and rhymes with
enthusiasm. Staff provided opportunities for children to
paint, draw and print. However, staff needed to provide more
regular free access to a selection of different craft materials to
develop children’s creative and inventive skills.
•
The programme for physical development and movement was
good. Staff regularly provided energetic play activities for
children. They made good use of both the indoor and outside
play areas. Children had developed good control of their
fingers and hands. Staff should now extend the range of
tools to include frequent access to scissors and the computer.
Support for children and families
Standard 6
Staff were very responsive to children’s needs and provided very
good support to them and their families. The nursery operated a
key worker system which allowed staff to know children well.
Effective partnership existed between staff and parents. Parents
had been involved in a book lending scheme. Parents who
responded to the pre-inspection questionnaire were satisfied with
most aspects of the service. Some parents wanted to receive
more information on their child’s progress and about the work of
the nursery.
Staff had established very good links with other professionals and
support agencies. They shared relevant information with the
playgroup and receiving schools. A programme of meetings with
parents was in place. Staff prepared annual written reports for
parents.
Arrangements to support children with additional support needs
were very good. Staff kept parents very well informed on a daily
basis and review meetings were held as required. Staff had a
sound understanding of the legislation related to provision for
children with additional support needs.
2
Management
Standard 14
The headteacher provided good leadership and was
approachable and supportive of nursery staff. Nursery staff
worked effectively as a team. A comprehensive range of policies
and procedures had been developed to support the staff team.
These were available for parents in the nursery handbook and on
the notice board. The school produced a regular newsletter.
However, further information should be provided to parents about
the work of the nursery.
The headteacher had begun to monitor the work of the nursery.
All staff were encouraged to be involved in the evaluation of the
service. However, the process did not yet systematically evaluate
all aspects of provision.
There was a system of staff development and review for the
nursery teacher. This was being developed to include all nursery
staff. All staff had received child protection training.
Key strengths
•
The welcoming, secure environment.
•
Quality of relationships between staff and children and the
effectiveness of the staff team.
•
The happy, confident children.
•
The very good arrangements to support children and their
families and the nursery’s approach to supporting children
with additional support needs.
Other Issues
Response to
recommendations or to
requirements made at
previous inspection
Appropriate action had been undertaken on the three
requirements made at the previous inspection.
Recommendations for improvement
•
•
•
•
•
The nursery should improve aspects of display, repairs and
health and safety as highlighted in this report.
Staff should extend the range of resources and ensure they
provide appropriate challenge for all children. Staff should
monitor the balance between activities children choose for
themselves and those directed by adults.
Staff should improve short-term plans to state clearly what
individual children were expected to learn.
Staff should improve aspects of the programmes as outlined
in this report.
The headteacher should implement a robust system of
self-evaluation. Arrangements for staff development and
review should be extended to include all nursery staff.
Information provided for parents should be extended to
include the work of the nursery.
3
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.
Allison Tyson
Care Commission
4
Marion Burns
HM Inspectorate of Education