An Aberdeen care home has been praised for “good, humoured banter” between staff and residents, while a Danestone nursery has made improvements.
The Press and Journal has taken a look at this week’s raft of inspection reports issued by The Care Inspectorate.
These cover the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The organisation is the watchdog for the care industry and inspects providers such as care homes and childcare services to ensure they meet standards.
The watchdog grades services on key areas including wellbeing, leadership and staffing on a six-point scale where 1 is unsatisfactory and 6 is excellent.
Here is a look at some stand-out reports from this week.
Maryfield West Care Home, Aberdeen
New ratings: Wellbeing – 5, Leadership – 4, Staff – 5, Setting – 4, Planning – 4
Previous ratings: Wellbeing – N/A, Leadership – 4, Staff – N/A, Setting – 4 Planning – N/A
Inspection date: October 14-15
The Queen’s Road care home has 24 elderly residents and inspectors found interaction between staff and residents to be filled with “lots of appropriate good, humoured banter”.
Residents also enjoy activities including bingo, baking, Zumba, and walking groups.
One family member said they were “very impressed” with the service, while another said: “It’s a small care home with a family atmosphere.”
Staff were welcoming, warm, and working hard to support people, according to inspectors.
Danestone Primary School Nursery
Previous ratings: Wellbeing – 2, Leadership – 2, Staff – 2, Setting – 2
New ratings: Wellbeing – 3, Leadership – 3, Staff – 3, Setting – 3
Inspection date: September 17
Danestone Primary was previously given a weak rating following an inspection in May.
Inspectors observed children climbing on furniture, tables and a windowsill. They were also able to access nappy sacks – a potential choking hazard.
Inspectors were told by a parent that a child had been found unattended in a playroom.
Since then the nursery has made improvements to the service, with inspectors stating “progress had been made in all areas of improvement”, since the last visit.
“Children were happier and more settled within nursery” this time around.
Flexible Childcare Services, Inverurie
Previous ratings: Wellbeing – 4, Leadership – 4, Staff – 4, Setting – 5
New ratings: Wellbeing – 2, Leadership – 3, Staff – 2, Setting – 3
Inspection date: September 14-16
Flexible Childcare Services provides daycare for children with additional support needs and, at the time of inspection, six children were there.
Inspectors noted inconsistencies in the care provided including during meal times and play times between each child.
While staff were praised for providing fun activities for the kids, inspectors noted failures in securing and recording medication.
The temperature in the two sensory rooms was not at a comfortable level, with one being chilly and the other stuffy. One also had limited items for children to play with.
Mid Yell Junior High Nursery School, Shetland
Previous ratings: Wellbeing – 5, Leadership – 5, Staff – N/A, Setting – N/A
New ratings: Wellbeing – 5, Leadership – 5, Staff – 5, Setting – 5
Inspection date: September 23-24
It has been seven years since the last inspection at Mid Yell, yet the team has maintained high standards with positive grades on a recent visit.
According to inspectors, personal plans were created for each child and in collaboration with families to maximise the child’s development.
Highlights of the visit included lunch which was “relaxed, unhurried, and sociable”, while the staff were praised as “lovely, helpful and amazing”.
A parent commented: “My child loves being outside, and they have the opportunity to do this every day.”
Green Tree Nursery, Inverness
Previous ratings: N/A
New ratings: Wellbeing – 3, Leadership – 3, Staff – 3, Setting – 3,
Inspection date: September 11-12
Located in Smithton, the nursery cares for up to 75 children, including babies who “were readily given cuddles and reassurance from responsive, attentive staff”.
Inspectors did note the nursery could do more to develop children’s “personal planning” and there were inconsistencies in hygiene measures.
They praised the good quality furniture and said babies benefitted from improvements to the Little Owls baby room.
Children attending breakfast club and out-of-school care enjoyed relaxed, sociable play experiences influenced by their choices and interests.
You can compare and monitor care home performance using The Press and Journal’s care home tracker.
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