A recent inspection report has revealed that the Giggles and More Breakfast and After School Club in West Lothian operated without any qualified staff for two days a week. The Care Inspectorate published the findings on March 15, 2024, indicating serious shortcomings in the club’s leadership and care provision. The service received a ‘weak’ rating in three of the four assessed categories, with only one deemed ‘adequate.’
The report highlighted that only one member of the staff, the manager, held a qualification in childcare. Consequently, on the two days the manager was absent, the club had no qualified personnel available to supervise the children. According to the report, “the majority of the staff team were unqualified and most lacked experience in childcare.” This lack of qualified staff raises significant concerns about the safety and well-being of the children in their care.
Moreover, the leadership team was criticized for not being familiar with their regulatory obligations. The inspectors noted that the leaders had to be prompted to report incidents, such as children being left unattended and staff not arriving on time to collect them from school. The report states, “These events meant we were not confident that leaders were aware of their regulatory responsibilities to notify us appropriately and help to keep children safe.”
Despite these serious deficiencies, the report did recognize some positive aspects of the service. It noted that “children appeared relaxed and comfortable with staff,” and that some staff members demonstrated kindness and engaged with the children during playtime. This indicates that while there are critical areas for improvement, there are also elements of care that are functioning well.
The findings have prompted concerns from parents and guardians regarding the quality of care provided at the club. As reported by Edinburgh Live, parents expect their children to be supervised by qualified professionals, and the absence of such staff raises alarms about the overall environment in which their children are being cared for.
In response to the report’s findings, representatives from Giggles and More Breakfast and After School Club have been approached for comment. The implications of this inspection are significant, as they highlight the urgent need for improvements in staffing practices and regulatory compliance to ensure the safety and well-being of children attending the service.
As this situation develops, it remains crucial for the club’s management to address these weaknesses and enhance the quality of care provided. The safety of children in after-school programs should always be a top priority.
