The Westlands Nursery

Inspection of The Westlands Nursery Westlands Primary School, Homewood Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 1XN

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy and confident at the nursery. They eagerly engage in challenging activities that staff plan for them. For example, children are keen to listen to books, such as about the three bears. They enjoy activities linked to the stories, such as making their own porridge just like the characters, and bring their imagination alive. Children enjoy each other's company and build meaningful friendships. They happily include each other in their play. For example, children welcomed others into their 'dinosaur land' activity. They kindly offered others a dinosaur so that they could join in the game.

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The provision is good

Children learn about the importance of healthy eating in the safe and hygienic nursery. They enjoy helping to prepare and serve healthy portions of nutritionally balanced snacks and lunches. Children of all ages develop good physical skills. For example, they learn about the different ways that they can move their bodies. Younger children crawl through tunnels. Older children climb and balance on larger equipment, such as balancing beams. Children learn mathematical skills as they play. Younger children count with confidence as they build with bricks and older children discuss measurements and quantities as they pour mixtures to make porridge.

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need to do better?

n The manager closely monitors the good quality of education and care that staff provide. She regularly observes staff interacting with children and provides them with helpful feedback to support their practice. Staff attend regular and beneficial training. They have made good use of recent training to develop the way they plan for children and extend upon their interests. This has helped staff keep children motivated to learn. n Staff know children and their individual personalities well, including their likes and dislikes. They plan activities and experiences for children that they know they will enjoy. This helps keep children engaged in their learning and supports them to make good progress. n All staff establish secure and trusting relationships with children and this helps children settle quickly and happily into the nursery. Children have a good sense of belonging and positive levels of well-being and self-esteem. Children are

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need to do better?

independent. For example, they choose their own play and complete their own tasks, such as preparing snack, with confidence. n The manager and staff build and maintain positive partnerships with parents. They keep them well involved and informed in their children's learning and progress. Staff communicate well with parents and share information about their child's day and achievements. n Overall, children behave well and staff support them to develop good social

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need to do better?

23 September 2021 skills. For instance, children say please and thank you, share and patiently take turns during group games. Staff recognise and praise good behaviour. However, they do not consistently provide enough explanation to fully support children's understanding of the consequences of their actions. Children do not always know why certain rules are in place. n Staff support children to develop a good understanding of the similarities and differences of people from around the world. This includes different languages and traditions celebrated by other communities. For example, children learn about Diwali and learn simple French words, such as for hello and goodnight. n Overall, staff support children to develop good communication skills. They ask older children good thought-provoking questions. However, at times, some staff do not consistently give opportunities for younger children to enhance their

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need to do better?

developing speaking and listening skills. For instance, they do not use routines times, such as snack time, fully effectively to encourage conversation and early language development. n Staff effectively support all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff liaise closely with outside agencies, such as specialist teachers. They share ideas and strategies to help children make progress. This includes using visual time lines to help children understand and manage the changes in routine. n Staff provide children with good opportunities to be creative. For example, younger babies use their whole bodies to explore paint. Older children use interesting items to make patterns in paint, such as pipettes, herbs and fruit.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection. They know who to contact to seek advice and follow up any concerns. This includes knowing how to deal with any allegations raised against staff. Staff deploy themselves well to ensure that they supervise all children effectively in both the indoor and outdoor environments. Staff complete detailed risk assessments to help keep children safe. This includes practice to minimise the risk of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Children have an active role in helping to keep each other safe. They learn how to use equipment safely, such as balancing on wooden bridges.

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should:

n strengthen support for children's behaviour to help children fully understand why certain rules are important and how their actions can impact on others n develop further the good support in place for younger children's growing

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should:

23 September 2021 communication skills to focus more clearly on early language development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY426595 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10197703 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 68 Number of children on roll 96 Name of registered person Swale Academies Trust

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reference number

Telephone number 01795 430629 Date of previous inspection 10 May 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The Westlands Nursery registered in 2014. It is located in Sittingbourne, Kent. The setting is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm, term time only. The setting receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting employs 18 members of staff, 15 of whom hold relevant early years qualification at level 2 and above. This includes 14 members of staff who have a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting has received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and staff and has taken this into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the manager and deputy manager. The inspector assessed the impact of the quality of staff interactions and the learning opportunities they provide children. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation, focusing on the development of children's communication skills. n The inspector viewed the indoor and outdoor learning environments. n Written documentation was reviewed. This included safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to the manager, children, parents and staff at convenient times and considered their views.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

23 September 2021 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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