Noah's Ark Day Care and Developmental Playgroup, which has been housed in custom-built premises in Balnageith Road for the past five years, was visited by school inspectors and representatives of the Care Commission as part of an integrated inspection programme.

The amenity caters for youngsters from babies to five years old, with complex additional needs, and currently five children attend, while the day care centre has 55 children, split into an afternoon 2-3 group, and a 3-5 group in both the morning and afternoon.

Funding for the playgroup comes through Moray Council, while the day care centre has to raise funds to cover its expenses.

Among the strengths of the centre, highlighted by the inspectors, were:

• Children are highly motivated, enthusiastic and successful in their learning.
• High-quality interactions between staff and children.
• The quality of care and support for all children, including those with complex additional support needs.
• Very positive relationships between staff, children, parents and the board.
• Highly motivated senior managers and staff who are committed to the continuous improvement of the nursery.

The report goes on: "Across the nursery, children are happy and enjoy their nursery experience. They are achieving success in all areas of their learning, and they are very well supported by staff.

"Younger children are making friends and learning to share resources well. Older children play very well together and show respect for others. They are very good at helping staff to tidy away resources, and can put on their painting aprons and outdoor clothes independently.

"Almost all approach activities with confidence and are not afraid to try something new."

The report said that children were making very good progress in all aspects of their learning and development, listening well and responding to instructions, stories and action songs and talking confidently to adults and other children.

Noah's Ark Developmental Playgroup manager, Lorraine Duff (left) and deputy manager, Angela Mackay.

The inspectors said that the centre was providing a very good quality of education and they would not, therefore, be making any further visits in connection with the inspection.

They highlighted only one area where improvement was required, saying that agreement had been reached between the centre and Moray Council to continue to develop the curriculum in line with Curriculum for Excellence.

They went on: "The education authority will inform parents about the centre's progress as part of the authority's arrangements for reporting to parents on the quality of its centre."

In five evaluations carried out by the inspection team - improvements in performance, children's experiences, meeting learning needs, the curriculum and improvement through self-evaluation - Noah's Ark received "very good" in every area.

Manager Loraine Duff said she was very happy with the inspectors' report.

"I am delighted that the group has achieved such high grades. Five 'very goods' puts us in the top echelon in the country."

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---