Overall CCO Theme Grading: 4 - Good

Statement 1: We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and
improving the quality of the care and support provided by the service.

Service Strengths
Some methods were used to facilitate service user and carer involvement in the evaluation and development of the quality of care and support provided including;
o questionnaires
o individual and group consultation meetings
o newsletters
o suggestion box
o complaints procedure

There was evidence that service user, carer and children's views were responded to,
resulting in improvements to the quality of care and support. Feedback from parents, carers and children confirmed they were involved in these processes and found them to be useful. Inspection reports were available to service users.

All parents/carers who completed questionnaires stated they had a chance to be involved in the service. Staff consulted children as a means of informing planning. Programmes were flexible and responded to the individual needs and interests of children.

Areas for Development
Identified areas for improvement were to improve circle time for children and the development of a parental participation strategy, as a means of involving service users in the development of the service. Consultation on this had commenced, with suggestions of a parents/carers committee, parents/carers being involved in interviewing new staff and visits to the nursery to partake in activities. Some parents spoken with during the inspection were keen for this to take place.

Management and staff should seek further ways in which service users can be involved in the assessment of the quality of care and support provided using the grading system, including developing the questionnaires to be more specific about statements within the quality theme. Consideration should be given to providing more practical support to parents, carers and children to help them participate in the opportunities provided.

Whilst questionnaires had been distributed and returned by parents/carers and staff, information had not been collated. The manager stated she intended to implement any changes highlighted. She should consider how to feed back; views gathered and how and when areas identified for change will be actioned.

The manager and staff had some awareness of the Curriculum For Excellence and Assessment is For Learning and planned to implement them in the nursery, in order to engage children in the planning process more effectively. Consideration should be given to providing further training/support to staff in this area.

CCO Grading
4 - Good

Number of Requirements
0

Number of Recommendations
0

Statement 3: We ensure that service user's health and wellbeing needs are met.

Service Strengths
A variety of policies, procedures and programmes were in place to promote the health and safety of children including, medication and risk assessments. A key worker system was in place, which assisted in providing continuity of care. A policy was in place to support this. Staff utilised transition records from home and daily discussions with parents and carers to ensure information is shared.

All parents/carers who completed questionnaires stated their children"s routine was
discussed. Comments included; "I feel staff really listen to my needs for my daughter
because any issues are discussed and I can speak to the key worker when I want" and "staff usually let me know what"s being done that day, when my daughter goes into nursery".

Staff demonstrated an understanding of children's needs and planned appropriately to ensure they were being met. All parents/carers consulted stated they were happy or very happy with the way staff helped their child/children with personal care.

Information about the child, including health and dietary needs was obtained prior to placement. Parents and carers confirmed they were aware of the need to keep information updated and that information on children's needs and preferences were discussed regularly.

All parents/carers consulted stated they were happy/very happy that staff knew their child as an individual, Comments included; "she is treated well as an individual and the staff are always interacting with her and encouraging her if she needs any assistance with anything ".

Staff linked with local community groups and agencies that provided training and support to service users and their families. Parents and carers commented positively on the support and assistance provided to them and their child/children.

Children were provided with daily opportunities for indoor and outdoor play and had opportunities to sleep or rest.

Management and staff had a clear understanding of their role and responsibility in protecting children from harm, abuse, bullying and neglect and implemented appropriate procedures in line with the service policy and current guidelines. Parents and carers were provided with copies of this. Feedback from parents and carers supported this. Children were encouraged to express their feelings and experiences. All staff took part in regular Child Protection training.

An infection control policy was in place and regularly reviewed using current guidance.
Infection control including, food hygiene was incorporated into staff inductions. Staff had
attended certificated food hygiene training.

A copy of the nutritional guidance for early years: food choice for children aged 1- 5 in early education and childcare settings was available. Staff had used this to confirm practice and encouraged healthy eating through working with parents and children. Account was taken of ethnic, cultural and dietary requirements. A healthy eating policy was in place. A range of meals, snacks and drinks were provided, in line with the guidance. Menus were displayed. Service users confirmed they were involved in menu planning. All parents/carers consulted stated they were happy/very happy with the food, drink and snacks provided.

The service participated in the 'Smile Too' national toothbrushing programme.

Areas for Development
Staff were providing support to children during meal and snack times. However, they should consider how they can further encourage children"s independence and involve them in preparation.

The medication policy and procedures did not reflect the practice of ensuring staff did not administer the first dose of medication, in case there was an allergic reaction. The manager stated the policy and procedures were being updated and would ensure they reflected this.

Whilst children had access to drinking water throughout the day, some children had to request this. Independent access should be encouraged.

Some nappies were being stored in a manner which exposed them to environmental contamination. Staff should ensure all nappies are appropriately stored.

Whilst there were no children attending the service who had identified Additional Support for Learning needs, management and staff should become familiar with and implement current legislation to ensure procedures and practice are up to date.

CCO Grading
4 - Good

Number of Requirements
0

Number of Recommendations
0

Overall CCO Theme Grading: 4 - Good

Statement 1: We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and
improving the quality of the environment within the service.

Service Strengths
Some methods were used to facilitate service user and carer involvement in the evaluation and development of the quality of environment provided including;

o questionnaires
o individual and group consultation meetings
o newsletters
o suggestion box
o complaints procedure

There was evidence that service user, carer and children's views were responded to,
resulting in improvements to the quality of environment. Feedback from parents, carers and children confirmed they were involved in these processes and found them to be useful. Inspection reports were available to service users.

All parents/carers who completed questionnaires stated they had a chance to be involved in the service. Staff consulted children as a means of informing planning. Programmes were flexible and responded to the individual needs and interests of children.

Areas for Development
Management and staff should seek further ways in which service users can be involved in the assessment of the quality of environment provided using the grading system, including developing the questionnaires to be more specific about statements within the quality theme. Consideration should be given to providing more practical support to parents, carers and children to help them participate in the opportunities provided.

CCO Grading
4 - Good

Number of Requirements
0

Number of Recommendations
0

Statement 3: The environment allows service users to have as positive a quality of life as possible.

Service Strengths
A warm and caring ethos was evident during the inspection visit. The accommodation provided a safe, warm and welcoming environment. A secure door entry system was in place. Parents/carers felt the premises were safe and secure and stated it was as clean as they would like it to be. One commented; "the nursery is very safe and secure with its buzzer entry system and camera, this gives me piece of mind whilst my daughter is in their care".

Staff had made effective use of available space, providing areas for children to play alone and in small or large groups. Good use was made of the outdoor play area. Some outings to places in the local community took place. Staff monitored the use of areas and resources and had involved children in re-arranging the room identified for children aged 3 - 5 years.

The nursery had appropriate procedures for ensuring health and safety, fire safety and reporting repairs. Staff carried out appropriate risk assessments for aspects of accommodation and for outings.

Resources were age and stage appropriate, well organised, accessible and provided challenge. Staff and children had accessed local resources and had taken part in local events. Information and photographs on these were displayed for service users and visitors. Parents/carers stated their child always had access to a range of materials and equipment to support their development, learning and interests and that their child always found activities stimulating and challenging.

Areas for Development
Procedures for planning, observation and assessment being implemented, including recording were not being consistently applied throughout the nursery and did not always identify the next steps in children"s development and learning. The service manager and staff confirmed this was being looked at in line with the Curriculum For Excellence, Assessment is For Learning and Birth to Three: supporting our youngest children.

The nursery was taking part in recycling. The Officer discussed the "Eco Schools" programme with the service manager. She stated she would source information on it with a view to registering the nursery in it.

An identified area for improvement was the cataloguing of resources, to enable children to make more independent choices. At the time of inspection this had started.

CCO Grading
4 - Good

Number of Requirements
0

Number of Recommendations
0

Overall CCO Theme Grading: 4 - Good

Statement 1: We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and
improving the quality of staffing in the service.

Service Strengths
Some methods were used to facilitate service user and carer involvement in the evaluation and development of the quality of staffing provided including;

o questionnaires
o individual and group consultation meetings
o newsletters
o suggestion box
o complaints procedure

There was evidence that service user, carer and children's views were responded to,
resulting in improvements to the quality of staffing. Feedback from parents, carers and children confirmed they were involved in these processes and found them to be useful. Inspection reports were available to service users.

All parents/carers who completed questionnaires stated they had a chance to be involved in the service. Staff consulted children as a means of informing planning. Programmes were flexible and responded to the individual needs and interests of children.

Areas for Development
Management and staff should seek further ways in which service users can be involved in the assessment of the quality of staffing provided using the grading system, including developing the questionnaires to be more specific about statements within the quality theme. Consideration should be given to providing more practical support to parents, carers and children to help them participate in the opportunities provided.

CCO Grading
4 - Good

Number of Requirements
0

Number of Recommendations
0

Statement 4: We ensure that everyone working in the service has an ethos of respect
towards service users and each other.

Service Strengths
A variety of policies and procedures were in place including, Equality and Fairness, Confidentiality and Whistleblowing. All staff were aware of and implemented the service's policies and procedures. Staff had taken part in appropriate training.

Staff worked well as a team and had developed positive relationships with service users. Service users were encouraged to express their views. Parents/carers stated staff always took account of their views and wishes on their children"s development needs, interests and personality.

Children were observed to interact well with staff and other children and responded well to the support, praise and encouragement provided by staff. Parents/carers stated information provided was treated appropriately and that staff spoke privately about their child/children. They stated they were very happy that staff treated their child respectfully and fairly and interacted well with their child. One commented; "my daughter loves the staff as they are so friendly and make us both feel very welcome when we enter the building".

Staff implemented programmes which celebrated equality, culture and diversity. Parents and carers stated staff respected and valued their personal beliefs whilst caring for their child.

All staff were appropriately qualified and registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). Staff had a good knowledge of the National Care Standards and the SSSC Codes of Practice and ensured their practice was reflective of these.

Staff were clear about lines of communication and accountability and were confident in reporting poor practice. Regular staff and management meetings took place to plan and evaluate practice.

Areas for Development
An identified area for improvement was to seek further ways in providing support to service users whose first language was not English. One parent who completed a questionnaire thought some staff were still undergoing a qualification. The service manager agreed to inform service users of staff qualifications and SSSC registration status.

CCO Grading
5 - Very Good

Number of Requirements
0

Number of Recommendations
0

Overall CCO Theme Grading: 4 - Good

Statement 1: We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and
improving the quality of the management and leadership of the service.

Service Strengths
Some methods were used to facilitate service user and carer involvement in the evaluation and development of the quality of management and leadership provided including;

o questionnaires
o individual and group consultation meetings
o newsletters
o suggestion box
o complaints procedure

There was evidence that service user, carer and children's views were responded to, resulting in improvements to the quality of management and leadership. Feedback from parents, carers and children confirmed they were involved in these processes and found them to be useful. Inspection reports were available to service users.

All parents/carers who completed questionnaires stated they had a chance to be involved in the service. Staff consulted children as a means of informing planning. Programmes were flexible and responded to the individual needs and interests of children.

Areas for Development
Management and staff should seek further ways in which service users can be involved in the assessment of the quality of management and leadership provided using the grading system, including developing the questionnaires to be more specific about statements within the quality theme. Consideration should be given to providing more practical support to parents, carers and children to help them participate in the opportunities provided.

CCO Grading
4 - Good

Number of Requirements
0

Number of Recommendations
0

Statement 4: We use quality assurance systems and processes which involve service users, carers, staff and stakeholders to assess the quality of service we provide.

Service Strengths
Management and staff were committed to providing a continuously improving service. Parents/carers who completed questionnaires knew of the service's complaints procedure and were confident that if they had concerns, staff would deal with them appropriately. They were very happy overall with the quality of service.

Regular staff meetings provided opportunities for discussion and consultation. Staff used continuous assessment practices to monitor children's development and the programme of activities available to them.

The management team and staff had a good understanding of national and local priorities. A development plan was in place, which stated clear priorities and staff development needs. All documents were available to service users.

The provider and management had an understanding of their responsibilities to make
notifications to the Care Commission and SSSC.

Areas for Development
Management and staff were aware of and had access to the Scottish Executive document The Child at The Centre and had recently undergone an Investors In People re-assessment. They intended to use this process in the monitoring and evaluation of the service, using The Child at The Centre and in the creation of a new development plan.

Although some informal monitoring and support was available to staff, the formal procedures for supervision were not being fully implemented. Formal systems for employee development and review should now be implemented.

The manager confirmed policies and procedures were currently being reviewed, including recruitment and disciplinary, which would reflect checking professional registers such as the SSSC and notification procedures to the SSSC and the Care Commission.

CCO Grading
4 - Good

Number of Requirements
0

Number of Recommendations
0