Glowing inspection report for “Giggles” early education facility

An early education facility in Wrexham has received a glowing report following a recent inspection.

Giggles, which is based at St Giles School near town, was found to be ‘good’ in all areas inspected by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and Estyn, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales.

This includes the well-being, learning, care and development, environment, leadership and management and teaching and assessment at the setting.

During their visit the inspectors found that “leaders and practitioners provide a welcoming, bright and stimulating environment for children to access freely” and that the “environment promotes children’s self-help skills successfully.”

In terms of care and development at the setting, inspectors say that: “Practitioners create a caring and supportive environment where the wellbeing and safety of children is a high priority.

“There are appropriate policies and procedures to ensure practitioners have clear guidance in order to perform their roles conscientiously.

“Practitioners manage interactions with children exceptionally well and are caring, nurturing and responsive to the children’s needs. They respond appropriately and consider children’s stages of development and ability when promoting positive interactions.”

The report adds: “Nearly all children feel safe and secure and enjoy attending the setting. They feel their views are valued by practitioners.

“Most enter the setting happily. They settle quickly, with only a few hesitating when coming in. Over time, children progress from being accompanied when arriving at the setting, to entering on their own, which helps the transition into school to be successful.

“Nearly all children share and are kind to one another. They take turns playing with sand and water and riding on bikes. Nearly all behave exceptionally well and care for each other.

“Nearly all children wait in line patiently and show respect to others when walking quietly across the early years department.”

Three recommendations have been put forward for the facility to take on board, including:

– Ensure that sufficient information is recorded for incidents and accidents
– Further develop links within the community to improve children’s knowledge and understanding of the world
– Provide additional multicultural resources and recycled, sustainable resources for creative work

The setting will now draw up an action plan that shows how it is going to address the recommendations.