First class result for First Step nursery

The nursery at Musselburgh’s First Step community project has been graded as “excellent” following an announced care inspection.

The service was assessed for the quality of care and support provided and the quality of its environment — and achieved the top grade in both categories.

Based at 37 Galt Avenue, First Step is registered to provide day care for children from birth to the age of eight and currently has 40 children on its register.

It aims to provide learning through play and a child-centred environment for all children, both as individuals and group.

Inspector Isobel Reilly was particularly impressed with the support given to children and their families in a “well-managed and caring environment, and the commitment to ensuring open communication with families.

She noted that the service had become involved in the Nurture Nature programme since its last inspection, staff continued to take part in training courses, new support groups had been developed in response to families’ requests and the appointment of playroom seniors had strengthened the management team.

Her report concluded: “First Step meets the needs of children and families in a caring and supportive environment.

“Individuals are valued and supported to express their views and meet their potential. Staff are approachable, knowledgeable and responsive.

“The service constantly looks for ways to build upon and improve their provision.”

Tina Pollock, the project’s Early Years Manager, welcomed the report.

She told the News: “This is the second year that we have been awarded excellent and to achieve this again was fantastic.

“We are very pleased with this report which reflects the hard work undertaken by everyone involved in First Step.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff, families and partnership agencies that we work with for their continued hard work and support in making First Step go from strength to strength.”

The inspection, in November was carried out by Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS), which took over the work of the Care Commission in April.