Windmill Hill Nursery

Windmill Hill Nursery Windmill Hill South, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 6QE

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Inspection date 8 January 2019 Previous inspection date 16 May 2018

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires improvement Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision is good

n The manager and deputy manager have made significant improvements since the last inspection. This has had a positive impact on children's learning and development. Staff have received training to support them in using what they know about children's individual development and for planning for children's next steps in learning. n The manager is knowledgeable about the procedures she must follow as the designated safeguarding officer for the nursery. She ensures her staff fully understand that they must make her aware of concerns they may have about the children in their care. All staff attend training to ensure they are fully aware of potential signs of abuse or neglect. n The small and friendly staff team provides a safe and nurturing environment. This helps support children's strong sense of belonging. Children are constantly praised for their achievements, which contributes towards raising their confidence and self-esteem.

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This provision is good

n Partnership working is excellent. Staff liaise extremely closely with parents, professionals and the local school to help foster children's care and learning. Children benefit from this strong continuity between the nursery, home and school they attend. n Occasionally, staff do not allow children enough time to explore and participate fully in their chosen activities before moving them on to the next activity or practical routine. n Staff do not make the best use of opportunities in the outdoor area to fully support children's curiosity and imagination and help children who prefer to learn outside progress at the highest level.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

n refine teaching strategies to help support children to complete tasks to their own satisfaction and to fully understand what is expected of them when moving from one activity to another n make better use of the outdoor facilities to further support children's curiosity and imagination and increase the potential for children who prefer to learn outside to achieve at the highest level.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and the deputy manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff demonstrate a good awareness of safeguarding and wider child protection issues. They are secure in their knowledge of how to identify and report concerns to help protect children from harm. Staff complete regular health and safety checks to ensure the environment is safe for children to explore freely. A thorough recruitment procedure is in place to ensure suitable staff are working with children. The manager evaluates the quality of the nursery well. She considers the views of staff, parents and children and has plans in place to continually improve children's experiences. Staff benefit from ongoing supervision and professional development opportunities to enhance their teaching skills. For example, staff confidently reflect and critique each other's activities to share good practice and to raise standards to a higher level.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

All children are making consistently good progress across the main areas of learning. Staff are knowledgeable about the children's current stage of development. They undertake observations and make assessments about what the children know and can do as the children play. For example, staff use the children's developmental tracking to plan realistic targets that the children can achieve. These are adapted to meet children's individual needs and interests. Children use their senses well to explore and learn effectively. For example, children experiment with ice cubes as they try to make an igloo and watch as the ice melts into water. Early mathematics is encouraged with every age group. Staff working with the younger children help them to count one, two and three, as they explore the resources in their immediate environment.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children settle extremely quickly ready to start their learning. They enter the nursery happily and confidently. Children enjoy sitting together and socialising during snack time. Their independence is effectively supported while they help to clear away and wash their own dishes. Staff constantly praise the children as they share toys and learn to take turns. Children behave very well. They display good manners, listen to staff and show respect for other children in the play areas.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children develop good skills in readiness for their future learning as they move on to school. Older children are learning to become independent and meet their own needs. They learn how to pour their own drinks and put on their coats to play outdoors. Children confidently share their experiences from nursery and the activities they enjoy completing. For example, they excitedly talk about using spray bottles to paint and create winter pictures.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY346757 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10089400 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 55 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Windmill Hill Nursery Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 16 May 2018 Telephone number 01928 759384

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reference number

Windmill Hill Nursery registered in 2007. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. They all hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from levels 3 to 5. The nursery opens for a variety of sessions from 8.30am until 6pm from Monday to Friday, during term time only. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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reference number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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reference number

procedures set out in the guidance Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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reference number

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