Serious concerns over food and water at Ayrshire nursery

Inspectors said the nursery had not provided adequate food and water for children

Serious concerns have been raised over the quality of childcare at a nursery in Ayrshire.

Inspectors have told staff at Jacaranda Nursery to make urgent improvements over food and water provision, management and staff qualifications.

The care inspectorate said the standard of care delivered was "not good enough".

However nursery management said there was no issue with food standards and a staff training review was under way.

It is the second formal improvement notice that has been issued to a nursery in Scotland for the 2019-20 period.

Five nurseries were issued with similar notices in 2018-19.

'Fit to be employed'

The formal improvement notice issued to Jacaranda Nursery listed three areas for improvement.

It said there should be enough food available at all snack and mealtimes to ensure children have adequate quantities of food, and that fresh drinking water is made available throughout the day.

The notice also said the manager of the nursery would need to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to manage the facility.

It added they must "demonstrate that members of staff employed in the provision of care have the qualifications, skills and experience that is necessary to meet the health, welfare, safety and developmental needs of all children and that they are fit to be employed in the role that they perform."

The nursery is required to show improvement in these areas by 28 February 2020.

A spokesperson for the care inspectorate said: "The care experienced by children at this nursery is not good enough and must improve.

"The improvement notice we have issued clearly lays out the improvements we must see so that the care experienced by children improves quickly. The provider has indicated to us that they are willing to work with our inspectors to make the improvements required."

'Swift review'

The private nursery near Ayr cares for children age 0-12 but focuses on preparing children for primary school.

Management said they were "very disappointed" to receive the notice and were "working closely" with the care inspectorate to make the improvements.

A nursery manager said: "The care inspectorate found no issue with the standard of food or frequency of meals and snacks, all children are provided with a choice of drinks at meal times and snack times and throughout the day.

"The improvements suggested by the CI were related to more frequently refilling a water jug where children help themselves and relating to a variety of food and extra food available when requested.

"All of our staff are appropriately qualified or working towards the relevant qualification.

"We receive extremely positive feedback from the parents and the children who use our service."

In August this year another nursery in Bathgate was also issued with a formal improvement notice which cited six areas of concern.

Little Owls Nursery was told to address its staff training and safe recruitment process among other areas.