TWO Stirling nurseries have received glowing reports from the Care Inspectorate.

Cambusbarron Nursery and Callander Nursery have both achieved ‘Very Good’ ratings in the areas assessed following unannounced spot checks by inspectors.

The Care Inspectorate lavished praise on Cambusbarron Nursery, which is a Stirling Council service providing learning and childcare, in Stirling to 30 children in their pre-school years.

It was rated ‘Very Good’ for both its ‘Quality of care and support’ and its ‘Quality of environment’, following an unannounced visit by inspectors in May.

The report states: “The service provided responsive care and support to children ensuring that their health, welfare and safety needs were met to a very good level.

“Very good leadership and a collegiate approach to self-evaluation has resulted in an environment that supports children's learning and provides quality experiences.

“The environment was relaxed, welcoming and peaceful supporting children's experiences to a very good level.

“Parents said that staff were lovely, knew children well and were keen to include parents and carers in the service.

“Continuous improvement in the service resulted in improved outcomes for children. Staff were taking a lead role in evaluating and improving aspects of the service.”

Cambusbarron Nursery’s Senior Early Childhood Educator Toni Akande said: “We are extremely proud to have received such a complimentary Care Inspectorate report.

“The staff have all worked exceptionally hard to make Cambusbarron Nursery such a stimulating, nurturing and caring environment, which celebrates the interests, talents and differences of every individual child.”

Callander Nursery received ‘Very Good’ ratings for both its ‘Quality of care and support’ and its ‘Quality of management and leadership’ after an inspection in June.

The Stirling Council facility is registered to look after 30 children aged between two and five.

The inspectors reported: “The children were seen to be confident, happy and comfortable in the company of the team and their friends.

“In the care standards questionnaires, all parents either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' that overall they were happy with the care and support their child received in this service.

“All questionnaires were very complementary of the staff and the care they give to the children.

“Throughout our visit the children remained engaged in their play and exploration of the resources.

“Staff supported them really well, often waiting to be invited into play or knowing when to offer support, suggestions or even company to children.

“Support for staff to independently seek and attend training was clear. This positively impacted on knowledge and subsequent interactions with children.”

Callander Primary School headteacher Tanya Starkey said: “We are delighted to receive such positive feedback from the Care Inspectorate.

“Support for children with additional support needs as well as the transition from home to nursery and nursery to school were identified as key strengths.

“It is fantastic that our staff are being praised for helping develop a warm, welcoming environment where children are offered choices and opportunities for play based learning.”

Stirling Council’s Education Committee Convener, Councillor Susan McGill, said: “Both Cambusbarron Nursery and Callander Nursery must be congratulated for achieving such positive reports from the Care Inspectorate.

“The learning and childcare environment they have created is ensuring the children they look after are receiving the best possible chance of reaching their full potential.

“Everyone involved at with these nurseries should be hugely proud of this achievement.”