An Ayrshire after-school care service has been told to improve the way it caters for children's needs.
The Care Inspectorate said Prestwick after-school care service was ‘weak’ across four quality indicators – the second-lowest grading possible.
In terms of quality of care, play and learning, the service was graded 'weak', while setting, leadership and quality of staffing were also 'weak', according to the report.
And the care watchdog revealed that kids were “not offered” access to the outdoor area – while interactions between staff and the children were “limited”.
In addition, staff did not engage with the kids in "meaningful conversation".
The administration of medication was “inconsistent” and one child with asthma did not have “an appropriate medical plan in place” should they require an inhaler.
The care watchdog did find strengths, but they said those were “compromised by significant weaknesses”.
Other concerns flagged up were that not all children experienced learning that was “relevant, personalised or sufficiently challenging” for their stage of development.
Prestwick after-school care service, in Caerlaverock Road, provides a care service for up to 40 children aged three years and above in Prestwick community centre; and 32 children aged four years and above in Glenburn Primary School.
This latest inspection took place in June at the community centre and the results were published this week.
The Care Inspectorate did say that most children were “happy and settled” within the service but they pinpointed a number of areas where they felt it could improve.
They have given the service a deadline of Monday, October 24 this year to establish a ‘programme of change’.
An extract from the Care Inspectorate report said: “The service is provided from a community hall, which is set up daily by staff. There was limited attention to detail such as homely touches and decoration.
“To support children’s emotional and wellbeing needs, we have asked the service to consider how they could display children’s artwork and provide comfortable areas for children to rest and relax.”
The report goes on: “During our visit, children were not offered access to the outdoor area. Children told us they are able to go out sometimes, but staff choose when. We have asked the service to review their process for children accessing the outdoor area.”
The Care Inspectorate has also asked the management team to “review” staff training needs, to take into account relevant childcare practice updates and national guidance.
The report states: “By October 24, 2022, the provider must establish a continuous and well-judged programme of change.
"This should link to strong self-evaluation for improvement, through developing a formal system of quality assurance so that there is an improvement within the management and leadership of the service, resulting in positive outcomes for children.”
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