Seashells Nursery
Day Care of Children
Community Centre
Albert Road
Eyemouth
TD14 5DE
Telephone: 018907 52082
Inspected by: Sally Gellatly
Type of inspection: Unannounced
Inspection completed on: 16 November 2011
Inspection report continued
Contents
1
2
3
4
5
6
Page No
3
5
7
10
17
18
18
Summary
About the service we inspected
How we inspected this service
The inspection
Other information
Summary of grades
Inspection and grading history
Service provided by:
Seashells Day Care Nursery Committee
Service provider number:
SP2003002000
Care service number:
CS2003009282
Contact details for the inspector who inspected this service:
Sally Gellatly
Telephone 01896 664400
Email [email protected]
Seashells Nursery, page 2 of 19
Inspection report continued
Summary
This report and grades represent our assessment of the quality of the areas of
performance which were examined during this inspection.
Grades for this care service may change after this inspection following other
regulatory activity. For example, if we have to take enforcement action to make the
service improve, or if we investigate and agree with a complaint someone makes
about the service.
We gave the service these grades
Quality of Care and Support 5
Quality of Environment
Quality of Staffing 5
Quality of Management and Leadership
Very Good
N/A
Very Good
N/A
What the service does well
We found that the manager and staff work very well as a team. It was clear that they
are committed to providing a high quality of care to meet the individual needs of the
children.
The children seemed happy and relaxed in the nursery. It was clear that staff knew
them very well.
What the service could do better
The service should continue to maintain the high level of care and support they give
to the children and their families.
What the service has done since the last inspection
Since the last inspection the service has developed closer links within the
community. Staff told us they had very good links with the school and local care
homes. The children are putting on a Christmas concert for them for example.
The service has created a sensory corner for the children. Staff told us that the
children like to use this corner for a 'chill out' time.
Seashells Nursery, page 3 of 19
Inspection report continued
Conclusion
Seashells nursery provides a very good standard of care and support to children and
their families.
Who did this inspection
Sally Gellatly
Seashells Nursery, page 4 of 19
Inspection report continued
1 About the service we inspected
Before 1 April 2011 this service was registered with the Care Commission. On this date
the new scrutiny body, Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (known as
the Care Inspectorate), took over the work of the Care Commission, including the
registration of care services. This means that from 1 April 2011 this service continued
its registration under the new body, the Care Inspectorate.
Seashells Nursery is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of 24 children
between the ages of 2 and 9 years.
The nursery is located within the Community Centre which is owned by Scottish
Borders Council. The nursery use the main play room, kitchen and toilet areas. There
is also a safe, enclosed outdoor play area for the children.
The nursery is registered to be open between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday during
school term times.
The nursery is in partnership with Scottish Borders Council to provide quality preschool education for children between three and five years.
A voluntary management committee has the overall management responsibilities for
the nursery. A Manager has day to day responsibility for the service.
The manager and three members of staff were present at the inspection. The
number of children present varied throughout the day.
The aims of the service are:
By incorporating the Scottish Government's 'A Curriculum for Excellence' Seashells
Nursery aims to encourage and support your child through play so that they can
become Successful Learners - through using their imagination and creativity, tackling new
experiences and learning from them and developing important skills, including literacy
and numeracy, through exploring and investigating while following their own
interests.
Confident Individuals - through succeeding in their activities, having the satisfaction
of having a task accomplished, learning about bouncing back from set backs and
dealing with safety and risk.
Seashells Nursery, page 5 of 19
Inspection report continued
Responsible Citizens - through encountering different ways of seeing the world,
learning to share and give and take, learning to respect themselves and others and
taking part in making decisions.
Effective Contributors - through playing together in leading and supporting roles,
tackling problems, extending communication skills, taking part in sustained talking
and thinking and respecting the thinking of others.
Based on the findings of this inspection this service has been awarded the following
grades:
Quality of Care and Support - Grade 5 - Very Good
Quality of Environment - N/A
Quality of Staffing - Grade 5 - Very Good
Quality of Management and Leadership - N/A
This report and grades represent our assessment of the quality of the areas of
performance which were examined during this inspection.
Grades for this care service may change following other regulatory activity. You can
find the most up-to-date grades for this service by visiting our website
www.scswis.com or by calling us on 0845 600 9527 or visiting one of our offices.
Seashells Nursery, page 6 of 19
Inspection report continued
2 How we inspected this service
The level of inspection we carried out
In this service we carried out a low intensity inspection. We carry out these
inspections when we are satisfied that services are working hard to provide
consistently high standards of care.
What we did during the inspection
The inspection was carried out by Sally Gellatly, Inspector.
We wrote this report after an unannounced inspection that took place
between 10.15am and 3.15pm on 16 November 2011.
We sent service eight questionnaires to give to parents and carers of children who
used the service. All were returned before the inspection. We spoke with the children
during the inspection visit. We also spoke to three parents.
In this inspection we gathered evidence from various sources, including the relevant
sections of policies, procedures, records and other documents, including:
The nursery handbook
Policies and procedures
The self assessment
The annual return
Complaints policy
Child protection policy
Children's personal learning plans
Discussion with staff and observation of their interaction with the children
Discussion with parents and the children
Grading the service against quality themes and statements
We inspect and grade elements of care that we call 'quality themes'. For example,
one of the quality themes we might look at is 'Quality of care and support'. Under
each quality theme are 'quality statements' which describe what a service should be
doing well for that theme. We grade how the service performs against the quality
themes and statements.
Details of what we found are in Section 3: The inspection
Seashells Nursery, page 7 of 19
Inspection report continued
Inspection Focus Areas (IFAs)
In any year we may decide on specific aspects of care to focus on during our
inspections. These are extra checks we make on top of all the normal ones we make
during inspection. We do this to gather information about the quality of these aspects
of care on a national basis. Where we have examined an inspection focus area we will
clearly identify it under the relevant quality statement.
Fire safety issues
We do not regulate fire safety. Local fire and rescue services are responsible for
checking services. However, where significant fire safety issues become apparent, we
will alert the relevant fire and rescue services so they may consider what action to
take. You can find out more about care services' responsibilities for fire safety at
www.firelawscotland.org
Seashells Nursery, page 8 of 19
Inspection report continued
The annual return
Every year all care services must complete an 'annual return' form to make sure the
information we hold is up to date. We also use annual returns to decide how we will
inspect the service.
Annual Return Received: Yes - Electronic
Comments on Self Assessment
Every year all care services must complete a 'self assessment' form telling us how
their service is performing. We check to make sure this assessment is accurate.
The service submitted a self-assessment online before the inspection. This was
completed to a good standard and identified many strengths of the service and some
areas they would continue to develop, for example continuing to find ways of
involving parents and carers in the service.
Taking the views of people using the care service into account
We spoke to small groups of children at the inspection. They told us things they liked
to do at the nursery, such as puzzles and painting. They chatted happily to us and
involved us in their play. It was clear they were happy and relaxed in the nursery.
Taking carers' views into account
We spoke to three parents at the inspection. They all told us that they were very
happy with the nursery and the staff.
Parents who completed both the service questionnaires, and ours, gave very positive
feedback about the nursery and staff. Comments are included in the body of this
report.
Seashells Nursery, page 9 of 19
Inspection report continued
3 The inspection
We looked at how the service performs against the following quality themes and
statements. Here are the details of what we found.
Quality Theme 1: Quality of Care and Support
Overall grade awarded for this theme: 5 - Very 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
We found that Seashells Nursery had very good systems in place to make sure that
parents, carers and children were involved in assessing and improving the quality of
care and support provided. These included:
Questionnaires for parents
A parental involvement policy
A detailed welcome pack
A nursery Facebook page
Daily discussion with parents/carers
Children's personal learning plans (plp's)
A detailed noticeboard
'School starts here' books for children who are 2 years old
A comments/suggestions book for parents
The welcome pack for parents was very good. It gave them information about how
staff would meet their child's needs and detailed information about the staff who
worked in the nursery. The parent questionnaires also asked for feedback on the
pack. Parents' comments included:
'It had all the information we needed'.
'Very informative and can be used as an easy reference. Had no questions after
reading it'
We found that the plp's were very good. They included records of the child's
achievements, things they could do by themselves, things they needed help with,
their likes, dislikes and other family members.
Seashells Nursery, page 10 of 19
Inspection report continued
The 'Thinking, Talking' floorbooks were very detailed. Staff did mind mapping with
the children at the start of each topic to get their ideas and suggestions. This was
recorded in the front of the book for staff and children to work from.
It was clear that parents really valued the care and support the staff gave their
children. We saw this in comments made in 'Thank You' cards staff had received.
Parents who completed the nursery questionnaire felt that staff had supported their
child with their learning and development. Comments included:
'Very much so. my child has progressed well since starting at Seashells'.
'Staff have been great'.
'Yes, socially I feel that Seashells staff have encouraged my children to develop'.
Parents we spoke to told us that they were very happy with the care at Seashells.
They also told us that they had very good relationships with the staff and they were
very approachable.
It was clear, through talking to parents and comments made in our questionnaires,
that parents thought very highly of the staff and the nursery. Comments included:
'Seashells nursery is a wonderful nursery which all 3 of my children attend/or have
attended. I have recommended this nursery to my friends who have also started their
children there. The staff are great, they are very welcoming and friendly and the kids
are always eager to go'.
'Nursery staff have worked extremely hard to support all of my child's needs and offer
full support, advice and help to myself, childminder etc. They have done more than
expected'.
'Our child really enjoys nursery and all the staff are brilliant with them, and from what
we see, all the other children. Great service'.
'My child started Seashells nearly 2 years ago and during that time all members of
staff have been wonderful. My child enjoys going to nursery and it is a great
environment for all the children, I have even recommended Seashells nursery to a lot
of my friends'.
Areas for improvement
The service should continue to maintain current excellent standards.
Grade awarded for this statement: 6 - Excellent
Number of requirements: 0
Number of recommendations: 0
Seashells Nursery, page 11 of 19
Inspection report continued
Statement 4
We use a range of communication methods to ensure we meet the needs of service
users.
Service strengths
Strengths identified in Quality Statement 1.1 also apply to this Quality Statement.
We found that there was a wide range of communication methods in place to make
sure staff met the needs of the children. It was clear that the staff were committed
to working with parents and other professionals to meet the individual needs of the
children. Staff gave us very good examples of this, such as working with the speech
and language therapist, educational psychologist and the physiotherapist.
It was clear, through observation and talking to staff and parents, that there was very
good communication between them. Methods included:
Parents committee meetings
Through the newsletter
A detailed noticeboard
Plp's including a comments sheet for parents
Stay and play sessions for parents
It was clear that parents were welcome to come into the nursery at any time. Staff
told us that they encouraged them to come in and see what their child had been
doing. Parents we spoke to also told us this. They also commented in the service
questionnaires. These included:
'Informative newsletters and we are kept up to date regularly'.
'There is always good feedback from staff'.
Parents who completed our questionnaires 'strongly agreed' that they are kept
informed about what is happening in the service, for example through newsletters
and information boards.
Areas for improvement
The service should continue to maintain current very good standards.
Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good
Number of requirements: 0
Number of recommendations: 0
Seashells Nursery, page 12 of 19
Inspection report continued
Quality Theme 2: Quality of Environment - NOT ASSESSED
Seashells Nursery, page 13 of 19
Inspection report continued
Quality Theme 3: Quality of Staffing
Grade awarded for this theme: 5 - Very Good
Statement 1
We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the
quality of staffing in the service.
Service strengths
Comments made in Quality Statement 1.1 also apply to this Quality Statement.
Very good opportunities were provided for parents, carers and children to participate
in assessing and improving the quality of staffing in the service.
The service questionnaires gave parents the opportunity to comment on the quality of
staffing. They had given very positive feedback about the staff. It was clear parents
thought very highly of the staff. They said that they felt that the staff worked very
well together and that they were conscientious and devoted to looking after the
children'.
Parents and carers were given very good information about the staff who cared for
their children. The notice board displayed photographs of all staff working in the
service, together with information in relation to their qualifications, skills and
experience.
Parents formed the committee. Regular meetings gave them the chance to be
involved in the nursery and put forward any suggestions/ideas in relation to staffing.
The committee were responsible for recruiting new staff. The manager told us that
they also sat on the interview panel.
Parents who completed our questionnaires said that their child appears happy and
confident with the staff.
Areas for improvement
The service should continue to maintain current very good standards.
Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good
Number of recommendations: 0
Number of requirements: 0
Seashells Nursery, page 14 of 19
Inspection report continued
Statement 3
We have a professional, trained and motivated workforce which operates to National
Care Standards, legislation and best practice.
Service strengths
We found that the staff were registered with the Scottish Social Services Council and
their certificates were on display.
There was a whistleblowing policy, recruitment policy and procedures and a child
protection policy in place. Staff told us that they were responsible for reading the
policies and keeping up to date with them. The manager told us that this was done
each year and staff have to sign to say they were aware of, and had read the policies.
We saw this at the inspection.
There was a staff development and training policy in place. It was clear that staff
were committed to further their training. They told us they accessed training through
Scottish Borders Council, in-house training and outside agencies. All staff had
recently updated their training on child protection.
We saw very good records of communication with parents and other professionals to
support children with additional needs. Staff also gave us very good examples of this.
We found that the staff were very motivated and enthusiastic in the nursery. We saw
a very good level of adult/child interaction. The staff spoke with warmth and
affection to all the children and met their individual needs accordingly.
Staff told us that they were responsible for keeping their continuing professional
development folder up to date.
Areas for improvement
The service should continue to maintain current very good standards.
Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good
Number of requirements: 0
Number of recommendations: 0
Seashells Nursery, page 15 of 19
Inspection report continued
Quality Theme 4: Quality of Management and Leadership - NOT
ASSESSED
Seashells Nursery, page 16 of 19
Inspection report continued
4 Other information
Complaints
No complaints have been upheld, or partially upheld, since the last inspection.
Enforcements
We have taken no enforcement action against this care service since the last
inspection.
Additional Information
Public liability insurance was in place through Royal Sun Alliance with a renewal date
of 30/03/12.
Action Plan
Failure to submit an appropriate action plan within the required timescale, including
any agreed extension, where requirements and recommendations have been made,
will result in SCSWIS re-grading the Quality Statement within the Management and
Leadership Theme as unsatisfactory (1). This will result in the Quality Theme for
Management and Leadership being re-graded as Unsatisfactory (1).
Seashells Nursery, page 17 of 19
Inspection report continued
5 Summary of grades
Quality of Care and Support - 5 - Very Good
Statement 1
6 - Excellent
Statement 4
5 - Very Good
Quality of Environment - Not Assessed
Quality of Staffing - 5 - Very Good
Statement 1
5 - Very Good
Statement 3
5 - Very Good
Quality of Management and Leadership - Not Assessed
6 Inspection and grading history
Date
Type
Gradings
15 Sep 2010
Unannounced
Care and support
Environment
Staffing
Management and Leadership
5 - Very Good
5 - Very Good
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
20 Nov 2009
Unannounced
Care and support
Environment
Staffing
Management and Leadership
5 - Very Good
Not Assessed
5 - Very Good
Not Assessed
28 Jan 2009
Announced (short
notice)
Care and support
Environment
Staffing
Management and Leadership
4 - Good
5 - Very Good
5 - Very Good
5 - Very Good
All inspections and grades before 1 April 2011 are those reported by the former
regulator of care services, the Care Commission.
Seashells Nursery, page 18 of 19
Inspection report continued
To find out more about our inspections and inspection reports
Read our leaflet 'How we inspect'. You can download it from our website or ask us to
send you a copy by telephoning us on 0845 600 9527.
This inspection report is published by SCSWIS. You can get more copies of this report
and others by downloading it from our website:
www.scswis.com or by telephoning 0845 600 9527.
Translations and alternative formats
This inspection report is available in other languages and formats on request.
Telephone: 0845 600 9527
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.scswis.com
Seashells Nursery, page 19 of 19