A HELENSBURGH nursery has been criticised by inspectors for breaching the terms of its registration by allowing too many children to attend.

The Care Inspectorate's report says that Stepping Stones in West King Street admitted more children than it was allowed to do so on three separate occasions during March.

The inspectors' report, published on Tuesday, judged the quality of management and leadership at the nursery to be 'weak'.

And though the quality of staffing was judged to be good, the quality of care and support and the quality of the environment at the nursery were both found to be only adequate.

The report also criticises the lack of a 'personal plan' setting out each child's health, care and safety needs, and says some policies and procedures did not reflect 'best practice' guidance.

On a more positive note, the inspectors highlight a high level of parent satisfaction and the positive relationships staff members have with children and with each other.

According to the report, 38 children were present at the nursery on the inspectors' first visit – coinciding with its celebration of Red Nose Day – while the nursery's registration only allows a maximum of 35 children to attend each session.

The report states: “During our first visit to the nursery, we found that there were too many children in attendance.

“We checked attendance registers for March 2016 and found that on three separate occasions the service had admitted more children than was permitted on the certificate of registration.

“During our inspection we found that a number of policies and procedures in use within the service did not reflect best practice guidance. For example, storage and administration of medication; personal plans; child protection; recruitment and selection.

“There were no arrangements in place to ensure there was a personal plan in place for each child attending the nursery.

"Personal plans needed to be put in place detailing how each child's individual health, care and safety needs would be met.

“We were concerned that some children's lunch bags did not contain ice packs to ensure the contents stayed at the appropriate temperature.”

Inspectors spoke to six parents and carers during the inspection, and received eight completed care service questionnaires from parent, all indicating “a high level of satisfaction with the care their children received”.

The report continues: “We found that children were happy, safe, secure and confident. We observed a caring, nurturing staff team who ensured that children's care and learning needs were met sensitively and respectfully.

Staff were clear about their responsibility for safeguarding children and confidently discussed the internal procedures for highlighting any child protection concerns to the manager.

We found that staff were enthusiastic and committed to their roles in the service. Staff knew children and their families well and confidently discussed children's care and learning needs.

“We could see that staff had developed positive relationships with children and each other.

“Throughout the inspection staff treated children with respect and were nurturing and caring in their interactions.”

Stepping Stones' owner Jo Butler said she would be taking the issues raised in the report up with the Care Inspectorate, but declined to comment further.