Published 21 June 2023
Children attending Early Learning & Childcare centres in West Dunbartonshire are receiving good quality care and learning.
A report to the Educational Services Committee shows that 100 per cent of all the Early Learning and Childcare Centres inspected this session by the Care Inspectorate have received good or very good gradings.
The service has received very positive feedback following the Aspect Review, led by Early Years Officer to ensure children are receiving high quality early learning and childcare, focused on curriculum rationale and design; leadership of pedagogy and play; curriculum learning and development pathways.
Feedback from children, staff, parents and carers and senior leaders showed that outcomes for children are very good. The service was praised for having high expectations for children’s attainment and achievement and for having good communications and engagement with families.
Children are educated in well maintained and well looked after environments for learning, which are rich in resources, providing areas for play, and quieter spaces for children to rest.
Plans to expand the One-ery model of curriculum delivery, based around play pedagogy and nurturing approaches, are progressing with work going on over the summer to open a new ELCC at Christie Park Primary in September. Works at St Mary’s Early Learning and Childcare Centre in Alexandria are complete with a new entrance and improved garden and play area for children and works continuing in August at Linnvale Early Learning and Childcare Centre. Outdoor project plans have also been drawn up Gartocharn and Brucehill ELCCs.
Convener of Educational Services, Councillor Clare Steel, said: “We are fully committed to supporting families and ensuring children get the best start to their education. It is pleasing to see our recent inspections show our centres are continuing to achieve grades of good and very good I want to thank our dedicated staff at all our centres who are committed to delivering first-class education to our youngest residents. I am also pleased our plans to expand our early years estate are progressing well and the opening of a new ELCC planned will offer more choice and local centres will be a great asset to families.”
Vice Convener of Educational Services, Councillor John Millar, said: “It is very pleasing to see how committed our employees are in education and their hard work is testament to the great progress being made in our early learning and childcare centres. During my visits to centres it’s great to see the innovative and stimulating work and how this is helping our young people and their families. We are committed to continuing this positive trend of inspection results and I would like to thank all our staff who have worked hard to achieve these great grades.”