09 May 2019

Udny Station Pre-School Playgroup praised by inspectors

Staff at a pre-school playgroup in Aberdeenshire have been praised following an inspection.

Education Scotland inspectors visited Udny Station Pre-School Playgroup to see what progress had made since the previous review in March 2018.

The report said: “Since the previous inspection, the playgroup has made considerable progress. Professional learning and support from the local authority has ensured that the manager and practitioners have continued to build their knowledge and their skills. As a result, improvements have been made in relation to self-evaluation, the quality of children’s experiences and planning for children’s learning.”

The inspection assessed whether self-evaluation processes were effective, rigorous and if the aims, values and vision fully reflected the playgroup’s aspirations; practitioners’ understanding of national guidance and how children learn; how staff have improved their approaches planning, observation and assessment of children’s learning to allow them to make progress and how best to develop practitioners’ understanding of statutory duties and codes of practice to improve children’s learning.

Chair person for the playgroup, Abby Twigger commented: "We are so proud of our staff. They have worked hard and it shows in this report. As a team we are working to improve our resources and self-evaluation. Add to that a nurturing, caring environment and we have such happy children! It's wonderful to see the inspectors notice the good that is going on."

Cllr Gillian Owen, Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee chair, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the outcome of this inspection. It is very satisfying indeed to see practitioners praised in this way as well as the input Aberdeenshire Council has given in assisting with such a positive inspection.”

Vice chair, Cllr Mark Findlater, added: “I would like to congratulate all involved in achieving such a positive inspection. Parents thinking of sending their children to this pre-school playgroup can be assured that standards are high as it goes from strength to strength.”