The Care Inspectorate has today published a report on Cunningsburgh Early Years, with one area being evaluated ‘excellent’ where aspects of performance were outstanding and sector-leading.
During their visit, following an unannounced inspection in September 2026, inspectors spent time with children and spoke to parents and carers, received completed questionnaires from staff, parents and carers, spoke with staff and the management team, observed practice and children’s experiences, and reviewed documents.
Key messages from inspectors are:
- Children experienced highly nurturing, responsive relationships with staff, helping them feel safe, secure, valued and confident in their daily experiences.
- Strong partnerships with families and professionals ensured children's individual wellbeing needs were identified early and consistently supported.
- Children experienced highly responsive, innovative learning opportunities that inspired curiosity, creativity and sustained engagement across all areas of development.
- Highly skilled staff used effective interactions, assessment and community partnerships to achieve outstanding outcomes for children and families.
- Strong, values-led leadership created a highly inclusive culture where children's rights, wellbeing and positive outcomes were at the heart of practice.
- Children thrived in a rich outdoor environment where they confidently led their learning, demonstrated resilience and managed risk exceptionally well.
Inspectors evaluated the service as:
- Leadership – Very Good
- Children play and learn – Excellent
- Children are supported to achieve – Very Good
The full report can be found on the Care Inspectorate’s website here (PDF)
Councillor Davie Sandison Chairs the Council’s Education and Families Committee: “I’m very pleased to see such a positive report for Cunningsburgh Early Years, and would like to thank staff for their hard work, which is reflected in the Inspectors’ evaluation. It’s particularly pleasing to see the strength of their relationships with families is highlighted, and the achievement of an Excellent grade in one area of the inspection is outstanding.”