An Aberdeenshire nursery has received a glowing report from inspectors who awarded it the highest marks possible.
The Care Inspectorate gave Laurencekirk Nursery scores of “very good” for the quality of care and support, environment, management and leadership, and staffing.
Inspectors praised “professional and motivated” staff for ensuring that both children and their parents or carers took part in helping to improve the nursery.
Inspector Donna Borek, who made an unannounced visit to Laurencekirk Nursery on February 20 noted that children were encouraged to take responsibility for their own work portfolios.
The Care Inspectorate did make several recommendations to staff such as the possibility of a nursery website and storing information on children’s medication in files rather than on notice boards.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokeswoman said: “Aberdeenshire Council is committed to excellence within early years education and is delighted that Laurencekirk Nursery has received the very best of grades.”
Meanwhile, staff at an Aberdeenshire playgroup say they are “back on track” after the service received the lowest grades from inspectors.
The quality of care and support, environment and management and leadership at Methlick were branded “unsatisfactory” by the Care Inspectorate when they assessed it on March 3 and 4.
While they found that children were happy in accessing the toys they wanted to play with, inspectors said a “breakdown in communication” had led to members of the voluntary management committee of parents resigning and staff feeling unsupported.
A spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council said: “Staff from Aberdeenshire Council have been working closely with Methlick Under 5s group since February and will continue to do so.
“There is an action plan in place as well as a new committee that we are working with to ensure standards improve.”
A spokeswoman for the under 5s group said: “The new committee and staff are working closely with the Care Inspectorate and council to improve the situation and everyone is confident that we are back on track.”