AN Easterhouse nursery is celebrating after receiving a rare “excellent” grading from inspectors.

The Care Inspectorate team, whose visit to St Clare’s Day Nursery was unannounced, found that children at the nursery “benefitted from warm, caring, nurturing staff who knew their needs well."

(Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

They also noted staff had developed “meaningful relationships with each other, families and children” and added: “The service had a strong vision, values and aims that were celebrated and encouraged.”

Other key strengths highlighted in the report included “a wide range of stimulating resources and a well-furnished homely environment” and “excellent parental engagement”.

(Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

The nursery received three ‘very good’ ratings and one ‘excellent’ in the areas assessed, which included care, play and learning, setting, leadership and staff team.

Headteacher Theresa Graham said she was delighted with the report.

(Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

“Warm caring, nurturing interactions with children and families are at the heart of what we do,” she said.

“One parent told us that they feel ‘part of a family’ at St Clare’s.”

The nursery has worked closely with parents and the local community to create a fantastic outdoor learning area, where children can benefit from a whole range of experiences, and parents have also shared their skills in music and cooking to help provide different opportunities for children to play and learn.

(Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

“This has had a positive impact for both children and families making informed choices about the food they eat,” says Theresa.

“We’re delighted the inspectors recognised that high quality parental engagement and partnerships were having an excellent impact on children’s wellbeing.”

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She adds: “Our care inspection was a very positive experience and validates the high quality practice provided at St Clare’s Nursery.”

(Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

Glasgow City Council’s convener for education and early years, Councillor Christina Cannon, said: “What a wonderful endorsement for the fabulous work that is being delivered by nursery staff.

“There are so many highlights of good practice but what is so apparent is the work to nurture independence and free play which is resulting in confident children who love their time at St Clare’s.”

She added: “It is obvious that parents and carers are very involved in their child’s learning journey and feel comfortable to help shape and influence what is happening.

“It is just a joy to read how respected the nursery is within their community and what an excellent job they are doing to help the wee ones on their learning journey.”