INSPECTORS have identified room for improvement in the staffing of a Stewarton after-school group.

Rascals, which runs from Nether Robertland Primary School, was visited unannounced by the Care Inspectorate on November 8. 

The service cares for a maximum of 50 children aged three and above, and is made up of a voluntary management committee of parents and an employed manager for day-to-day operations. 

The service was rated highly for its care, play and learning, and praise was given for the interaction between youngsters and staff.

Its care, play and learning was rated 'good', as was its setting - but the service's leadership and staff team were both described as 'adequate', with the watchdog stating that "strengths only just outweighed weaknesses".

Areas of improvement were noted, including the handling and procedure for dealing with medication. 

The report states: "To support children's health and wellbeing, the medication procedure should be amended to reflect the best practice guidance.

"In particular, the service should ensure that medication is stored in a way that is secure but that is easily accessible and that regular audits are carried out to check expiry dates."

The inspectors said more time was needed for the centre's new staff team to gel.

They added: "Changes to the staff team had taken place since the last inspection. Further time is needed for the whole team to develop.

"Staff and management should continue to work together to positively influence staff meetings and plan for improvement taking a solution focused approach."

The service was praised for ensuring improvements were made to enhance children's snack time experience, and for making sure an improvement plan was implemented, following a previous inspection in February of this year.

However, some areas of improvement noted from the last inspection had not been fully met, including changes to medication storage, and the creation of a quality insurance system.