Plenty of praise for nursery, school and childcare inspection reports

COUNCILLORS have heard about a number of positive inspection reports for nurseries, primary schools and childcare facilities in Shetland.

One was for the Foula early learning and childcare setting, which received four ‘very good’ ratings.

However education and families committee vice-chair Catherine Hughson expressed disappointment that the Care Inspectorate did not come to the island’s school in person and instead carried out a virtual visit.

Foula Primary School, which hosts the early learning and childcare setting.

Foula Primary School, which hosts the early learning and childcare setting.

Foula’s early learning and childcare team – registered to care for a maximum of six children – were inspected virtually by the Care Inspectorate at short notice between 28 April and 2 May.

It received ‘very good’ ratings in areas such as leadership, staff team and care, play and learning.

Councillors were also told that the Lerwick early learning and childcare facility was given an unannounced inspection on 28 and 29 April.

It also was given four ‘very good’ ratings.

Meanwhile the Lunnasting nursery had an unannounced inspection on 1 May. It was given two ‘very good’ ratings and two ‘good’ ones.

The Islesburgh out of school care service was also inspected on 28 and 28 April, which was unannounced. It received four ‘good’ ratings.

Hughson said the report on all four settings was “positive and uplifting”.

“It should give the committee the confidence that our early learning, nursery and out of school care are being delivered to a really good standard,” she said.

Hughson thanked staff as well as parents and the school communities.

However she said Foula getting a virtual tour was “doing it a peerie bit of a disservice”.

“I think they should come and look at the setting to make sure that they are getting a feel for both where the school is, how remote it is – you canna really pick that up from doing a virtual tour,” Hughson said.

It comes after Education Scotland returned a positive inspection report for the Sound Primary School.

The primary and nursery departments received a mix of good and very good ratings.

This also received a warm welcome from councillors, with Hughson saying it was “really positive” before offering her congratulations to everyone involved.

Meanwhile inspection reports for Shetland Islands Council’s residential childcare facilities Stura and Grodians were also presented to Monday’s meeting.

It was more positive news, with Grodians getting a ‘very good’ rating from the Care Inspectorate while Stura received a ‘good’ rating.

Hughson said it was “yet another very positive report”.

“It also highlights the importance of positive relationship and the continuing nurturing of our children,” she added.

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