Missed opportunities for children 'to reach full potential' at Pennyland Primary Nursery, say care inspectors
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An unannounced inspection at Pennyland Primary Nursery has found that children's experiences are being compromised due to insufficient staffing levels.
In a recent report, care inspectors gave the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) service at the Thurso primary school two weak gradings (Grade 2) – one for the quality of staffing and the other for the management and leadership.
The quality of care and support and the standard of the environment were both given an adequate grading (Grade 3).
Published by the Care Inspectorate, following a visit on February 15, the report states: "Whilst some strengths could be identified, these were compromised by significant weaknesses.
"The majority of staff recognised the importance of nurturing, warm, responsive attachment and interactions. However, due to competing demands placed on them, they could not always offer the level of support and interaction they wanted to."
Although the minimum adult to child ratio was met, it was found that the deployment and number of staff working in the service were insufficient – as a result the quality of children's experiences were compromised.
The inspectors said: "We saw missed opportunities for extending play and learning to support children's curiosity and enquiry. Additionally, we identified gaps in interactions across the day and poorer overall outcomes."
Issues with staffing levels had previously been highlighted by the staff and management team, but no improvements were observed. It was felt that the additional pressure put on staff was compromising safety and wellbeing, resulting in missed opportunities to support children to reach their potential.
The inspectors continued: "We saw missed opportunities when skilled and effective questioning could have extended the children's learning and supported their creativity and curiosity.
"We also saw some interactions that did not support children's emotional wellbeing or meet their needs. As a result children did not consistently receive high quality interactions and play experiences."
As a requirement, the nursery provider, Highland Council, must now take steps to ensure that at all times suitably qualified and competent staff are working in the nursery in such number as are appropriate for the health, welfare and safety of children.
It is also recommended that to support children's wellbeing, learning and development, the council should ensure staff access training and development opportunities appropriate to their role.
Under the quality of management and leadership heading, it was found that the management arrangements did not ensure good, high-quality experiences for children. The inspectors noted that there had been gaps within their management team, due to staff absence and vacancies which had hindered the ability to drive forward improvements in the service.
Due to the competing demands of their role and other school priorities, it was felt the head teacher and deputy had limited time to fulfil their management roles and responsibilities to a satisfactory level.
The report stated: "As a result, children did not benefit from a service that was well managed. The provider should review the management arrangements in place to ensure high quality experiences for children."
The council is required to ensure positive outcomes for the children using the service which means the manager will have to allocate sufficient time to undertake the role effectively.
To do this the provider must, at a minimum, ensure regular and effective support and supervision for all staff, including development of knowledge and understanding around self-evaluation processes.
Clear and effective plans also need to be in place for maintaining and improving the service. In addition, the council must ensure improved outcomes for children and practice by implementing effective systems of quality assurance.
A council spokesperson said: "The council’s school management team will continue to work with colleagues towards the recommended improvements to the setting. An improvement plan is in place to meet the recommendations and requirements from the Care Inspectorate.
"The council has already implemented additional management and staffing support to Pennyland Primary Nursery."
The council must comply with the Care Inspectorate requirements by June 3.
During the visit the inspectors received a number of positive responses from the children who listed playing as their favourite thing to do at the nursery.
Among the views shared by parents via email were: "It always appears to be well organised and we are always greeted with a friendly welcoming smile."
"The staff are noticeably stretched at times but this never impacts on the care they provide to the children."
In an unannounced visit in November 2019, the nursery received a grade of five – very good – for all four categories of the inspection.
