Care Inspectorate Report on Eastern Primary School Nursery

I was concerned to read the latest inspection report from the Care Inspectorate about the Nursery at Eastern Primary School. 


Link - Care Inspectorate Report - Eastern Primary School 14 February 2013

It found that on seven out of eight measures the nursery was graded 'adequate' and was awarded just one 'good' grade. 

I don't think 'adequate' is acceptable.

The report identifies a number of areas for improvement to ensure that the Nursery provides the best possible experience for children and families.

'In particular, it should make sure that:

• children and parents have more opportunities to participate in assessing and improving the quality of the service;
• the systems for assessment, planning and recording children's progress are properly implemented;
• communication and team working amongst the staff team is improved;
• an action plan is put in place to address key priorities for improvement in the nursery.'

To restore confidence in the quality of the nursery education, I think it is crucial that parents and carers are reassured that the action plan referred to in the report is in place and that the issues identified in the report are being addressed. As the report is based on an inspection which took place in February, I trust that the Education Department, The Head Teacher of Eastern Primary School and the Nursery staff have already been tackling this agenda, especially that 'communication and team working amongst the staff team is improved;'

Postscript
A follow up inspection was conducted in November 2013 and reported in early February 2014. This is a much more positive report indicating that the shortcomings reported in May 2013 had been well addressed in the interim and the Nursery was performing at a "Good" level on all measures.