Issue - meetings

(i)       to note that some of the dates had been incorrectly labelled as 2023 in Appendix B (Sunnybank Action Plan) instead of 2024 and this would be corrected;

(ii)       with reference to Appendix C (Northfield Academy Update Action Plan) and the offer of specific courses through partner providers (for example, automotive, construction and make up artistry courses), to note that officers would provide an update to the next meeting as to whether there was an intention to roll this out more widely;

(iii)      to instruct the Interim Chief Officer – Education to continue to support Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings and schools to implement continuous improvement in keeping with the Quality Frameworks; and

(iv)      to otherwise note the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Interim Director of Children’s and Family Services which detailed how Aberdeen City schools and Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings had engaged with His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education (HMIe) and The Care Inspectorate since May 2023.

The report provided updates on the following:-

Sunnybank Primary School

Kingswells Primary School

Northfield Academy

Riverbank ELC

Gilcomstoun ELC

The Links Nursery and Hub

Duthie Park Outdoor Nursery

J Puddleducks

Cornhill Out of School Care

Kingsford ELC

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the content of this report; and

(b)      instruct the Interim Chief Officer - Education to continue to support Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings and schools to implement continuous improvement in keeping with the Quality Frameworks.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener, moved the recommendations contained in the report.

Councillor Grant, seconded by Councillor Blake, moved as an amendment:-

That the Committee:-

(a)      agree the recommendations within the report;

(b)      note that in 2014 and in 2017 Riverbank Nursery had scores of 5s and 4s respectively; and

(c)      instruct the Interim Chief Officer – Education to lead a review of the circumstances resulting in the poor inspection outcomes at Riverbank Nursery Care Inspectorate report which highlighted, amongst other matters, issues with providing a clean and safe environment with some children not provided with "cuddles, warmth and comfort" on a regular basis, and for that report to be presented to Committee two cycles from now.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (11) - the Convener; the Vice Convener; Councillors Al-Samarai, Bouse, Hazel Cameron, MacGregor, Radley and van Sweeden; and Mrs Cardno, Mr Crawford and Mr Regmi; for the amendment (5) – Councillors Blake, Brooks, Grant, Lawrence and McLeod. Absent from the division (3) – Mr Murray, Miss Scott and Mrs Smith.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that some of the dates had been incorrectly labelled as 2023 in Appendix B (Sunnybank Action Plan) instead of 2024 and this would be corrected;

(ii)       with reference to Appendix C (Northfield Academy Update Action Plan) and the offer of specific courses through partner providers (for example, automotive, construction and make up artistry courses), to note that officers would provide an update to the next meeting as to whether there was an intention to roll this out more widely; and

(iii)      to approve the motion.