A nursery in Ayr has received the highest possible Care Inspectorate grading after inspectors praised the “exemplary” care provided to children at Wallacetown Early Years Centre.
The South Ayrshire Council-run centre, on Queen Street in Wallacetown, achieved an ‘excellent’ rating for care and support during a recent unannounced inspection. It provides full-day and part-day early learning for children aged two until they start primary school.
Inspectors praise care and learning
The inspection report highlighted what it described as the centre’s sector-leading approach. Inspectors said children benefited from warm, nurturing relationships and meaningful experiences that supported their wellbeing, confidence and development.
Children were described as “highly motivated and engaged” in a wide range of activities designed to support their learning and development. Staff interactions were judged to be “consistently high quality”, while the centre’s care routines, including rest and mealtimes, were carried out sensitively and with respect for each child’s individual needs.
The report also highlighted the nursery’s work to support emotional wellbeing. Staff use recognised approaches and resources to help children understand and regulate their emotions, helping to make emotional development part of everyday nursery life.
Support for children and families
Inspectors praised the centre’s close partnerships with families and professionals. Those relationships helped staff respond to children’s developmental, emotional and practical needs, while partnership agencies were also involved in supporting parents.
Parents gave strongly positive feedback. One described the centre as more than a nursery, saying it was also a support provider that linked with partnership agencies and was “exceptional at what they do in every way possible”. Another parent said the nursery was “absolutely amazing” at meeting the needs of their autistic son and understanding him.
A strong culture of teamwork and shared responsibility was also recognised. Staff were described as “open, reflective and fully engaged” during the inspection process.
Continuous improvement recognised
Leadership was rated as “very good”, with inspectors noting the centre’s clear vision for continuous improvement and its commitment to inclusive, high-quality early learning.
Leaders were able to demonstrate progress in areas including children’s lunchtime experiences. They also showed how children’s views had helped shape those changes, underlining the centre’s focus on listening to the children who use the service.
Wallacetown Early Years Centre said it was “absolutely delighted” to celebrate the Care Inspectorate report. The centre said the result reflected the dedication, commitment and care of its team, as well as the relationships built with children and families.
It thanked the children, staff, families and wider community, including those who took the time to provide positive feedback and help shape the early years centre.