Teachers who have "created a strong sense of community" at a Largs nursery have been praised by inspectors.

Inspectors from Education Scotland said the staff at Douglas Park Nursery "have created a supportive and inclusive ethos."

They said: "They know the community and its socio-economic context very well and use this knowledge when planning events and activities. All children and families recently participated enthusiastically in the nursery’s fiftieth-anniversary celebration.

"Children’s achievements are celebrated through learning journals and on the ‘Wow Wall.’

"Practitioners have developed robust approaches to tracking children’s individual achievements. This is supporting them to make sound professional judgements about children’s progress and identify each child’s unique learning needs."

The report also commended the learning progress of the children who attend the nursery on Cathcart Road.

It stated: "They engage readily in conversations and confidently approach adults to involve them in their play.

"They listen carefully in small group activities and respond well to questions. Many children choose books independently and can talk knowledgeably about their favourite story characters.

"They play well with their friends and are learning to take turns, share and cooperate. Children are becoming increasingly aware of different feelings and emotions.

"With support from practitioners, they are developing ways to manage their own feelings. Most children can identify ways to help a friend who is upset."

One area for improvement was identified and discussed with the manager and a representative from North Ayrshire Council.

The nursery was advised to "continue with their plans to involve children more in talking about their learning and making changes to their nursery."

The full report is available on the Education Scotland website.

Lynsey Gray, nursery manager at Douglas Park said: "The dedicated staff team work very hard alongside management to ensure the best outcomes for all our service users.  

"We are delighted this has been recognised and our efforts have been celebrated. Douglas Park Nursery has been a huge part of the local community for the past 50 years and we endeavour to continue to provide a high-quality service for years to come.

"Our registration is currently open for the 2024/25 session and we are looking forward to welcoming new families through our doors."