Loretto Pre-School in Musselburgh praised for nursery care
Loretto Pre-School in Musselburgh was given the positive review after an unannounced inspection in March.
The pre-school, part of Loretto Junior School, supports children from age three until they begin primary school.
Inspectors found that the children were cared for in a “safe and secure environment”, with regular audits and risk-mitigation systems in place.
One child explained how they had learned about “road safety” and “how to climb trees and not be frightened”, reflecting the setting’s efforts to help children assess and manage risk.
The children also had consistent access to outdoor spaces and the wider school grounds, including twice-weekly forest school sessions and trips to the beach.
The indoor areas were described as “welcoming and homely”, with real-life and loose part materials supporting creativity and problem-solving.
Literacy and numeracy were integrated into daily activities, with children “very engaged in mark making and writing numbers”, and engaging in storytelling and environmental print recognition.
Children experienced “warm, nurturing and responsive care from staff”, who knew them well.
Children’s independence was promoted during meals and play, and their emotional wellbeing, privacy and dignity were promoted by staff.
Personal plans were developed in line with national guidance, though the report suggested these could be strengthened with clearer tracking of support strategies.
Safeguarding practices were robust, with staff receiving regular training, and clear policies shared with both families and staff.
Children’s information was handled in accordance with GDPR and supported by secure digital platforms.
The setting used CCTV to monitor access areas, further enhancing safety.
The report concluded that children at Loretto Pre-School benefited from a caring, stimulating and respectful environment.
Staff were skilled and nurturing, and while some areas like personal planning could be enhanced, the overall service provided children with rich opportunities for learning and development, both indoors and out.
