Moray’s Lhanbryde Primary Nursery judged ‘weak’ in two of four categories
A nursery has been judged ‘weak’ in two out of four categories by the Care Inspectorate.
Back in February inspectors turned up unannounced at the nursery attached to Lhanbryde Primary and spent two days rating its condition and performance.
Their report, which was made public this week, scored the staff at the facility as ‘good’.
Meanwhile, the care they provided to the youngsters who attend there was classed as ‘adequate’.
However, both the nursery’s setting and its leadership were assessed as ‘weak’, which is the second lowest rating.
It was stated that an area of decking in the garden posed a hazard while the fencing surrounding it was too low.
As regards the matter of leadership, the report stated the nursery “had lacked consistent management for a significant period of time which had led to non-cohesive practice and a clear direction for improvement”.
It added that the nursery’s recently appointed manager also had to manage another “day care of children setting” as well as cover for staff shortages.
Talking about the manager, the report continued: “During the short time they had been in post they had also covered staff shortages.
“It was an unsustainable role for the new manager given their leadership role in supporting staff confidence, and ensuring a focus on improvement was established.”
A spokesperson from Moray Council’s education department: “We acknowledge the Care Inspectorate's recent inspection report on the nursery and take its findings very seriously.
“The evaluations of ‘weak’ in both the setting and leadership areas highlight the urgent need for improvement, and we’ve already started working closely with the nursery team to address these concerns.
“A parent meeting is being planned on Wednesday, April 23, to share the findings and outline the steps being taken to support improvement.
“We recognise the setting has faced challenges due to difficulties in recruiting a permanent manager. To help address this, close support is being provided to the newly appointed manager to build strong, consistent leadership and drive lasting improvements.
“A detailed action plan is being developed, with a clear focus on improving the environment, strengthening staff practices, and implementing robust safety measures. The Continuous Improvement Officer has already started visiting the setting to support progress and monitor the pace of change in line with the action plan.
“Staff development remains a key priority, supported by further targeted training and a strong focus on encouraging staff to reflect on and improve their daily practice.
“Immediate actions have also been taken to address specific health and safety concerns, particularly in the outdoor areas. A full review of risk assessments and safety procedures is in progress, and the outdoor space has already been evaluated and improved to ensure it offers a safe and engaging environment for children to play and learn.”
