A HELENSBURGH nursery has received a glowing report following an unannounced inspection of its facilities and services.

Stepping Stones on West King Street was inspected between Thursday, July 28 and Monday, August 29.

A Care Inspectorate report detailing the findings shows that the nursery rated either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ in all areas evaluated during the inspection.

The children’s day care centre achieved ‘very good’ status for its care, play, and learning, leadership, and staff team.

It was also rated as ‘excellent’ for its setting, with the report describing it as “sector leading”.

The report said: “Throughout the setting the manager and staff team had cultivated a very warm and homely atmosphere.

“The residential setting of the service lent itself well to this approach and this was reflected in the way the playrooms had been decorated and set up using interesting furnishings and fittings to ensure a high quality experience for children.

“Parents were highly complimentary about the nursery environment telling us, ‘they have catered to all kids with different wee sections in and out of the nursery (mud kitchen, reading corner etc). The feel you get from the nursery and stuff we knew we had to move our children there for them to grow and thrive’.”

Inspectors also noted that children’s care and learning routines met their individual needs, and that they were delivered with “kindness and compassion”.

Stepping Stones provides care for up to 36 pre-school aged children at a two storey villa.

During the inspection, inspectors spoke with people using the service, their families, 10 members of staff and management.

They also reviewed documents and observed practice and daily life.

It was noted that parents commented on how well the service supported them during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A spokesperson for Stepping Stones said: “We are immensely thankful that our report has reflected the hard-working efforts that have been implemented by our staff team, children, and families over the last 2 years, especially during the unprecedented time associated with Covid-19.

“As a staff team, we endeavour to build a nursery that is welcoming, nurturing, safe and secure and where children feel at home and we will continue to strive to meet the needs of all our families and children.

“We would like to thank all our families and local community for their support without which none of this would be possible.”