A DUMBARTON day care centre has been praised for making “significant improvements” - but inspectors say there is still work to be done to the outside area.

Goal Zone Out of School Care, located at the Vale of Leven Industrial Unit, was graded “adequate” for its quality of staffing, leadership and setting and received a ‘good’ for their care, play and learning.

Repeated concerns highlighted in the Care Inspectorate report include the lack of outdoor play for children because the play area is deemed unsafe as it had fallen into disrepair.

The report stated: “We observed that children did not have access to the setting’s outdoor area as it had fallen into disrepair.

“Improvements had been made since our last inspection; however, the space had been allowed to deteriorate.

“This meant that children did not have daily access to outdoors. We explained that children should be able to move freely between the pitch and outdoor area. The manager told us plans were in place to reinstate the outdoor space.”

It also mentions that at the time of inspection in November last year the fire exit was blocked and there was a leak in the roof which but it was ensured that “repairs were ongoing”.

After the last inspection in April last year, the Reporter told how during snack times children ate at a table in the foyer of the building, but were left to kneel or stand up “due to the inappropriate height of the table and no suitable chairs”.

The report stated: “Tables, chairs, (which were at a suitable height for all children), tablecloths and dishes had been purchased.

“Children enjoyed being involved in the preparation of snacks, they told us they were ‘snack helpers’ and took turns preparing them, one older child said, ‘I am making toast for today’s snack’.

“This approach builds children’s confidence and develops life skills.”

The watchdog made three requirement to improve its Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures, provide the appropriate furnishings to enhance the children’s snacking experience and improve the heating systems in the building.

All of these recommendations have been met within the timescales allocated, now the facility have a few areas of improvement to work on which include to enhance older children’s experience and choice as well as development on their self-evaluation process.

Goal Zone Out of School Care has been approached for comment.