Western Elms Nursery

Inspection of Western Elms Nursery 59 Western Elms Avenue, READING, Berkshire RG30 2AL

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children enjoy their time at this nursery. They are welcomed by friendly staff and arrive eager to learn. They quickly settle to the routines of the day. Children do not always get opportunities to reach their full potential, although, overall, they make adequate progress in their learning. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. Overall, they behave well, although older children sometimes are not fully engaged, for example, during group times.

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The provision requires improvement

Children love spending time outdoors. Babies move around freely as they practise their balancing skills on see-saws. Older children run, jump and climb with increased confidence. However, the range of resources to promote older children's physical development further is limited. For instance, children enjoy playing on the climbing frame but this equipment does not provide enough challenge for older children.

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The provision requires improvement

Overall, children socialise well together. They develop into keen talkers and hold interesting conversations with each other. For example, when it is snack time, older children discuss whether they should eat the skin of a pear. Children's imagination is developed well through the use of books and role play. For instance, toddlers want others to join in their play. They happily pretend to go shopping and think about what to buy. Older children like to play interesting games about dragons and sharks.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have a clear focus on what they want children to learn, although this is not always well communicated to the staff. They do not check the effectiveness of teaching on a regular basis to help identify staff who may need more support to improve their skills. Staff's quality of teaching for younger children is more effective than that for older children. Staff working with older children do not always prepare activities that challenge them and match their needs accurately. Staff working with younger children have recently received training on how to support babies to talk. This shows a positive impact in their progress. For example, babies say words like 'pat, pat' when they play with sand. n Staff work with children to prepare them for their next stage in learning. Younger children are supported to develop the skills they need. Older children are adequately prepared for their move to school with some focus on early

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need to do better?

reading and writing. Children show developing independence when they make choices in their play and as they select own resources. However, staff working with older children do not always plan well enough for the routines of the day. Staff are sometimes too quick to complete tasks that children could learn to manage themselves. For example, at mealtimes staff cut fruit and pour drinks

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need to do better?

8 April 2022 for them. n Parents speak positively about the care their children receive. Staff gather suitable information from parents about their children when they start the nursery. This helps them know more about children's interests and personalities. n Staff effectively help children to develop their mathematical knowledge and understanding. Children learn mathematical vocabulary, such as 'taller' and 'shorter', as they compare their different heights. n Children develop a greater understanding about healthy lifestyles. They talk about the importance of milk as part of a healthy diet. Older children say that babies need warm milk to help them rest. They know that milk is kept in the fridge to keep cold and stop it from going bad. Children show they can make connections with what they do at nursery to their own experiences at home. This helps children make sense of the world around them. n Children are given hands-on experiences which they enjoy. Younger children

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need to do better?

explore the texture of different breakfast cereals. They hear and use words such as 'pop' and 'crunch'. This builds on their vocabulary. n Leaders have identified improvements to support children's learning further. For instance, staff recently attended training on the 'Curiosity Approach', and have a vision to develop this in the nursery. They would like children to handle more natural resources. Leaders understand the importance for children to develop their inquisitive nature further as they explore and handle a range of resources.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders understand their responsibilities to safeguard children. Staff can identify the signs and symptoms that a child might be at risk. They understand the local procedures to follow should they need to report a concern about a child's welfare. Leaders provide safeguarding updates to staff. Staff show awareness of wider safeguarding issues, such as children being exposed to extremist views and behaviours. Leaders follow effective recruitment and vetting procedures to check the suitability of staff to work with children. Staff ensure the environment is safe and secure for children. They carry out daily risk assessments, indoors and outdoors to minimise potential hazards.

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Due date

8 April 2022 ensure all staff receive effective support, coaching and training to fulfil their roles, to identify and target weaker aspects and improve their personal effectiveness. 01/07/2022

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should:

n provide more challenging opportunities for older children outdoors to support their physical skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY295050 Local authority Reading Inspection number 10228372 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 48 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Western Elms Nursery School Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 0118 572146 Date of previous inspection 5 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Western Elms Nursery first opened in 1962 and registered under the current ownership in 2004. The nursery operates from a large Victorian house in West Reading, Berkshire. It is open each weekday between 7.30am and 6.30pm, all year round. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education to children aged two, three and four years. There are 10 staff working with the children, eight of whom hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 or above. Two members of staff hold relevant degrees, one of whom also holds early years teacher status.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The nursery manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with a senior leader. n The inspector observed the quality of the education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on the children's learning. n The inspector spoke to parents on the phone on the day of the inspection where they shared their feedback of the provision. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took

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Inspection activities

account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

8 April 2022 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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