‘Outstanding’ inspection report published for Cunningsburgh early years

THE CUNNINGSBURGH early years facility has been hailed for achieving an ‘excellent’ grade following a recent inspection.

It received the rating, which is the highest given out by the Care Inspectorate, for the category ‘children play and learn’.

It also received ‘very good’ ratings for leadership and ‘children are supported to achieve’.

Chairman of Shetland Islands Council’s education and families committee Davie Sandison said receiving an ‘excellent’ grade in particular was “outstanding”.

The Care Inspectorate undertook an unannounced inspection to the facility within the Cunningsburgh Primary School in September.

There were up to 17 children present during the inspection visit.

During their visit, inspectors spent time with children and spoke to parents and carers, received completed questionnaires from staff, parents and carers, spoke with staff and the management team, observed practice and children’s experiences, and reviewed documents.

Key messages from inspectors are:

– Children experienced highly nurturing, responsive relationships with staff, helping them feel safe, secure, valued and confident in their daily experiences.

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– Strong partnerships with families and professionals ensured children’s individual wellbeing needs were identified early and consistently supported.

– Children experienced highly responsive, innovative learning opportunities that inspired curiosity, creativity and sustained engagement across all areas of development.

– Highly skilled staff used effective interactions, assessment and community partnerships to achieve outstanding outcomes for children and families.

– Strong, values-led leadership created a highly inclusive culture where children’s rights, wellbeing and positive outcomes were at the heart of practice.

– Children thrived in a rich outdoor environment where they confidently led their learning, demonstrated resilience and managed risk exceptionally well.

Sandison said: “I’m very pleased to see such a positive report for Cunningsburgh Early Years, and would like to thank staff for their hard work, which is reflected in the inspectors’ evaluation.

“It’s particularly pleasing to see the strength of their relationships with families is highlighted, and the achievement of an excellent grade in one area of the inspection is outstanding.”