Westgate Nursery School and Creche

Inspection of Westgate Nursery School and Creche 82 Cricklade Road, Highworth, Swindon, Wilts SN6 7BL

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Staff are dedicated to ensuring children are making the best possible progress in all areas of learning. They establish a robust parent partnership from the start to find out about each child's individual needs. The highly effective key-person system ensures each child feels secure in their emotions and well-being. Staff have exceptional experience in producing planning that is carefully tailored to children's individual needs and interests, while sensitively accommodating children who need additional support. Children flourish in confidence, develop awareness that their personalities are respected and are continually inclusive and considerate of one another.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children arrive at the setting with enthusiasm; they separate from their parents exceptionally well and manage their feelings and behaviour impeccably. They feel exceptionally secure in the nursery environment, enabling them to become extremely confident and independent learners. Parents speak extremely highly of the competent staff team and recognise the vital role it plays in ensuring children are happy and continually flourishing. Parents also acknowledge the significant communication they have with staff and state that the meals provided on site are nutritious and well received by their children.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children relish the superb learning opportunities that are predominantly based in the nursery's large garden. These link closely to the setting's ethos of healthy bodies and minds, and staff provide extensive support for each child's fine- and gross-motor development. Children have developed high levels of independence, initiating their own learning and exploration of the natural world, for example. Staff provide carefully structured activities to embed deeper learning about the natural environment. Children excitedly investigate the shrubbery with nets in the hope of finding wildlife and produce clay creations using natural resources from around the garden.

p.2

need to do better?

n The inspirational manager enthusiastically explains the clear ethos of the nursery and how it is embedded in everything staff do. The skilful staff have a positive impact on the development of the children. Staff fully understand and acknowledge the importance of ensuring children feel secure in their emotional well-being prior to implementing further development goals. The skilful use of planning and assessments supports all children to make excellent progress. Leaders are committed to continually developing staff knowledge. They provide exceptional opportunities for professional development among staff. Many staff members have already achieved valuable qualifications and continually seek new ways to expand their skills. There is inclusive support and communication

p.2

need to do better?

8 August 2022 between the team with monthly in-house training. n Staff know the children exceptionally well. They have a strong grasp on how children can thrive and develop in all areas of learning and an exceptional understanding of how to use exciting, age-appropriate activities to support this. They provide remarkable support for children's progression, using very clear development plans for each child. n Children build exceptionally strong relationships with one another. They demonstrate compassion and respect for each other and encourage each other to thrive. For example, children compliment each other's art work and applaud the achievements of others. These robust friendships have created a secure, amicable and calm environment among the children. Children are confident and have a secure sense of self-worth. They manage their feelings and behaviour extremely well, with the support of staff where appropriate.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children develop great independence as they explore new things for themselves, make decisions and practise new skills. During mealtimes, children sit politely at the table and eat their food competently with metal knives and forks and crockery. They are confident to announce if they do not like something or if they are finished, and staff encourage them to try new foods on their plate. Once children are finished, they demonstrate how well they know and follow routines as they scrape any remaining food off their plates into a large bowl on the table, put their plates in the box and go to wash their hands. n Children develop exceptional communication and language skills. From the baby room up, they enjoy ample opportunities to listen to music and sound activities and relish story times. Children have ready access to a wide range of books to look at independently or explore with other children and staff. There are

p.3

need to do better?

numerous opportunities for expression and discussion throughout the day. For example at the lunch table, pre-school children discuss in depth how their digestive system works, showing exceptional knowledge and giving clear descriptions. n Children in the toddler and pre-school rooms continually use mathematical language. They use their initiative to count the windows on the building, discuss the height of their tower of bricks using positional language, and use monetary language when playing in the ice-cream shop.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have clear and precise knowledge of how to keep children safe from harm. Managers and designated safeguarding leads provide ample training and support for staff to ensure competence within the team. All staff have completed safeguarding training and update their knowledge at monthly staff meetings. Staff have an in-depth understanding of how to access outside support from additional agencies where appropriate. Children learn how to stay safe in hot weather by wearing sun hats, applying sun cream, keeping in shaded areas of the garden and drinking plenty of water.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 511540 Local authority Swindon Inspection number 10234588 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 52 Name of registered person Murkin, Sandria

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01793 861268 Date of previous inspection 26 October 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Westgate Nursery School and Creche registered in 2001 and is located in Swindon, Wiltshire. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, one holds a qualification at level 4, and nine are qualified to level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

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 inspector measured the quality of education by observing the activities taking place and assessing the impact of learning opportunities. n A learning walk took place whereby the manager guided the inspector around the nursery to discuss the setting's overall curriculum and ethos. n The inspector sought the views of staff at appropriate times of the day. n A discussion with parents took place to seek their views about the setting. n The inspector sampled documentation, including suitability checks of staff. n The inspector spoke with children to find out what it is like to be a child attending the setting.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

8 August 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6