Published 09 March 2023
Children attending Early Learning & Childcare in West Dunbartonshire are receiving good quality care and learning.
A report to the Educational Services Committee shows 100 per cent of the 15 Early Learning and Childcare Centres inspected by the Care Inspectorate received good or very good gradings in every inspection.
Figures show a five percent increase in early writing and mark making and a three percent increase in concepts of print. The strong trend shows children are achieving ambitious targets set in early learning and childcare centres with 67% of all children on track to achieve the benchmark in Concepts of Print and 33% of children will achieve the benchmark in number and number processes.
A working group to develop learning, review inclusive practices and share good practice has also been set up which will review supports to our ELC provision to accommodate children with additional support needs (ASN) within ELCCs. The group will look at all additional support needs and in particular, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Part of the work will look at the specialist work within Kilpatrick Early Years with children with complex learning needs and how the service could support mainstream centres by sharing their expertise.
Plans to expand the One-ery model of curriculum delivery, based around play pedagogy and nurturing approaches, are progressing with work underway at Linnvale Early Learning and Childcare Centre and St Mary’s Early Learning and Childcare Centre in Alexandria. Plans have also been drawn up for an early years expansion in Christie Park Primary School which is progressing well and due to open at the start of the school term in August.
Convener of Educational Services, Councillor Clare Steel, said: “We are fully committed to ensure children get the best start to their education. Recent inspections show our centres are achieving grades of good and very good and these are the grades we want for all our centres. I am also pleased our plans to expand our early years estate are progressing well. This expansion will be a great asset to families.”
Vice Convener of Educational Services, Councillor John Millar, said: “It is very pleasing to see how committed our employees are in education and their hard work is testament to the great progress being made in our early learning and childcare centres. Families rely on good quality childcare and it will give them peace of mind that their child is receiving engaging and stimulating activities while under our care. We are committed to continuing this positive trend of inspection results and I would like to thank all our staff who have worked hard to achieve these great grades.”