Crown Primary Nursery ClassDay Care of Children

Kingsmills RoadInvernessIV2 3JT

Telephone: 01463 716576

Type of inspection: UnannouncedInspection completed on: 16 September 2016

Service provided by: Service provider number:Highland Council SP2003001693

Care service number:CS2003017195

About the service

Crown primary school nursery which is near the centre of Inverness and is situated within a mixed area ofcommercial and residential properties. The nursery building which has its own entrance is attached to theprimary school.

The nursery is all on the one level and there is a small enclosed outdoor play area that can be accessed directlyfrom the nursery.

The service was registered on 1 April 2011 and can care for up to 24 children at any one time

The aims of the service are to:

- Provide a safe, supportive, welcoming and stimulating environment.

- Deliver an appropriate child centred curriculum.

- Provide a variety of learning experiences aimed at meeting the needs of each child.

- Encourage in each child lifestyles, attitudes and beliefs which promote health, self-awareness and esteem,creativity and confidence.

- Help the children become involved in making choices to become independent and successful learners.

- Provide equal opportunities.

- Provide a smooth transition from nursery to primary one.

- Encourage meaningful partnerships with parent/carers and the wider community.

- Involve parents in education of their child.

What people told us

Views of people who use the service

The children were very keen to enter the nursery and meet with staff and their friends. They had the confidenceto investigate their space and access play materials independently.

"Do you want some soup ? (mud kitchen)."

"I love playing with the cars on the ramp."

"We can paint pictures and take them home for my mum."

"If you want help ask the teacher."

"The golden rules - don't run inside, wait your turn, be nice to your friends."

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Views of Parents

"I think the staff do an amazing job, and my child has had had two very happy years.There are a number of limitations which are out with the control of staff, primarily the lack of wraparound carewhich can make things very difficult for working parents. A very quick turnaround between morning andafternoon can be tricky. My child and I are always made to feel welcome and staff are great at sharing what mychild has done, or chat about what he has been up to."

"We have been very happy with the service Crown nursery has provided for our son. In particular the transitionprogrammes provided to ensure they are ready for primary one.We always find all the staff are very approachable (as does our son) and feel confident that if we did have aquery they would always do their best to provide an answer."

"Crown primary nursery has been an excellent introduction for our child to Crown primary school. The staff arefriendly, approachable and welcoming and our child has been very happy there."

"We hope to see an expanded learning space here in the future and although good I am sure that a bigger spacewould make for a far better caring environment. The enclosed garden is great and well used in all weathers."

"A happy, caring, stimulating nursery, my child loves it and the staff. He was identified as good at maths andthey created a little group to do extra activities which we were very grateful for and he got a lot out of it.Amazing Christmas nativity, the children learned numerous songs were confident and happy and stage. Amazingfor three to four year olds - great stuff."

"All three of my children have attended clone nursery. Although there have been many changes both structuraland staffing wise, the standard of care has been consistent and excellent. My children have been well cared for,stimulated, challenged and supported. Staff are very approachable and helpful and management are quick to acton any queries or suggestions. I feel very lucky to have had my children educated at Crown."

"I am very happy with the service that my child gets from Crown nursery. I just wish there was a bit more spacein the nursery which would be great for the kids. I wish all the best for crown nursery in the future."

"Fantastic service all the staff are excellent and a real asset."

Self assessment

The completed self assessment gave a fair reflection of how the service was delivered.

From this inspection we graded this service as:

Quality of care and support 5 - Very GoodQuality of environment 4 - GoodQuality of staffing not assessedQuality of management and leadership not assessed

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What the service does well

Children and parents had the opportunity to visit the centre and meet with the manager and staff group beforestating at the service. Written information explaining how the service was provided was made available for allparents when registering their children.

Children and parents were warmly welcomed to the service and brief information on the child's day was sharedwhen parents when picking up their children at the end of the session.Basic information on each child which included health needs were recorded and updated on a regular basis. Aninfection control policy and procedure was in place and appropriate nappy changing facilities which safeguardedthe child's privacy and dignity were also in place.Children were treated with dignity and respect at all times as well as being encouraged to ask questions andinvestigate their environment.

Activities, games and toys were age appropriate, challenged children along with stimulating learning. Membersof staff had consulted with the lower school teacher to identify work sheets for high achievers and againconsulted with the head teacher and parents when they had identified children who may benefit form additionalsupport such as speech and language therapy.

A healthy lifestyle was promoted within the nursery and outside play was a regular occurrence. Healthy snackswere provided with children being encouraged to take responsibility for setting the table and tidying up

The play room and reception were welcoming with a number of engaging information points for parents.

Toilets which were age appropriate were clean and hygienic with children being able to access themindependently unless staff support was required.

The outside play area was welcoming and appealing to the children who enjoyed their time out of doors. Therewere climbing challenges, areas to grow vegetables along with flowers and hidden corners which encouragedrole and imaginary play. To enhance this area consider how numeracy and literacy could be expanded in theoutdoor area. On the day of inspection two children were making a patio with wooden blocks (patterns) this wasgood example of how natural materials could be used in many ways to encourage learning.

A healthy lifestyle was promoted within the nursery and outside play was a regular occurrence. Healthy snackswere provided with children being encouraged to take responsibility for setting the table and tidying up.

The nursery also had access to the wide open field and the all-weather sports pitch both of which were used ona regular basis.

What the service could do better

There was a visual time line in place to assist specific children. It is important that staff keep to this orcommunicate clearly their reasons with additional signage when digressing from the time line.

Circle time can be an important discussion forum and to maximise this opportunity, space and length of timehave to be carefully considered.

Children were making choices when it came to activities; learning themes were identified when taking part inmind maps (participation tool). Recordings within their learning journeys were variable and at times it was

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difficult to pinpoint outcomes as a description of tasks prevailed rather than outcomes. Not all parents wereaware of these learning journeys and a gentle reminder of their physical position may be welcomed.

Supplying tongs for fruit distribution at snack time would limit the spread of infection and may improve finemotor controls.

The immediate outdoor space was limited and expanding this area would be welcomed by both children andstaff.

To promote a digital experience a smart board was available and well used by the children attending,unfortunately not all the children could reach the top (ladybird number recognition game) and able to activateladybird one. Providing a step or raised plinth would overcome this.

RequirementsNumber of requirements: 0

RecommendationsNumber of recommendations: 1

1. It is a recommendation that the carpet from the nursery is replaced due to its dirty and stained appearanceand that a more suitable floor covering is put in its place.

National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare : Standard 2, Children and young people are cared for in asafe, hygienic, smoke free, pleasant and stimulating environment. The surroundings are in a good state ofdecoration and repair.

Complaints

There have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection. Details of any older upheld complaints arepublished at www.careinspectorate.com.

Inspection and grading history

Date Type Gradings

25 Oct 2013 Unannounced Care and support 5 - Very goodEnvironment 5 - Very goodStaffing 5 - Very goodManagement and leadership 5 - Very good

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Date Type Gradings

17 Nov 2010 Announced Care and support 6 - ExcellentEnvironment Not assessedStaffing Not assessedManagement and leadership Not assessed

25 Nov 2008 Announced (short notice) Care and support 5 - Very goodEnvironment 5 - Very goodStaffing 5 - Very goodManagement and leadership 5 - Very good

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To find out more

This inspection report is published by the Care Inspectorate. You can download this report and others from ourwebsite.

Care services in Scotland cannot operate unless they are registered with the Care Inspectorate. We inspect, awardgrades and help services to improve. We also investigate complaints about care services and can take actionwhen things aren't good enough.

Please get in touch with us if you would like more information or have any concerns about a care service.

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Other languages and formats

This report is available in other languages and formats on request.

Tha am foillseachadh seo ri fhaighinn ann an cruthannan is cànain eile ma nithear iarrtas.

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