Westmill Nursery

Inspection of Westmill Nursery Westmill Village Hall, Westmill, Buntingford, Hertfordshire SG9 9LJ

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They consistently follow rules in the nursery and support each other, mostly without adult intervention. For example, staff provide sand timers and show children how to use them. This enables children to take turns fairly, which promotes their social skills. Children help each other search for insects on their woodland walk and excitedly show their peers. They ask, 'Can you help me, please?', when they encounter difficulties. This shows that children have extremely high levels of self-control. Staff are positive role models and teach children about feelings to help them understand their emotions. Children participate in daily mindfulness activities to learn self-regulation techniques. They have consistently high levels of respect for each other as they share their special achievements during circle time. This has a positive impact on children's behaviour and attitudes, as they are highly engaged and motivated to learn.

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The provision is good

Children watch horses in the field and learn about the differences in animal's and children's diets, laughing as they discuss that horses eat grass. Children plant vegetables and learn how to help them grow. They explore what is inside different foods, such as avocados and peppers. Children independently use knives to cut through the food and peel them open to view the seeds. They happily take turns as they make 'potions' and explore the room to add more resources. This develops children's independence and knowledge of the natural world.

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need to do better?

n Children have developed a love of stories and songs, which helps to support their literacy skills. They often ask for stories to be read to them. Staff enthusiastically read using different tones of voice and pause to encourage children to fill in the missing phrases. They use props to bring the story to life, and children show high levels of engagement and excitement throughout. Staff have high expectations of children and introduce new vocabulary, such as 'adventure', developing their communication and language skills. n Staff encourage children to look for shapes and numbers in the environment. When children go on a walk, they spot numbers and shapes on a house, developing their mathematical skills. n Children access boxes and pieces of material for construction play. Staff support them to see if the materials are 'transparent', explaining that this means 'see through'. Children remain highly engaged as they select resources to construct

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need to do better?

with, developing their creativity. n Children learn about different cultures and customs through planned activities and a wide range of visits in the local community. They recently tried Chinese cuisine during Chinese New Year, and each spring local farmers notify staff when the lambs are due, so they can arrange visits. Occasionally, some staff are less

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need to do better?

10 May 2023 confident in supporting children's understanding of diversity during everyday activities. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are making good progress. Staff regularly meet with parents and other professionals, such as speech and language therapists, to discuss children's progress and share strategies to support their next steps in learning. Children's confidence and speech have developed well since starting at the nursery. n Staff have created strong partnerships with other settings children attend. They regularly share information on what children are learning. In addition, staff have developed good procedures to help children transition to school. Children learn self-care skills, which helps them to be independent, as they participate in physical education lessons. School staff have noticed the positive impact of these skills in helping children to settle. n Parents say they are amazed with the outdoor learning experiences children

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need to do better?

receive. They often speak to their child's key person, and photos are shared using an online platform. Parents can share children's achievements and what they have been learning at home with staff, who incorporate this into activities in the nursery. They comment that children love going into the nursery, where they are greeted by warm and attentive staff. n Staff speak highly of their managers and say they feel very supported. They are provided with regular training opportunities to develop their knowledge. The management team involves staff in reflecting on practice and the environment to maintain children's engagement and spark new interests.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are proactive in teaching children how to stay safe. During walks, they teach children about road safety, how to stay safe in the sun and how to treat nettle stings. The management team has a rigorous recruitment and induction process in place to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Staff are aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse, including neglect and female genital mutilation. Staff are also aware of the signs of radicalisation and county lines and how to report any concerns. Staff know the appropriate action to take if they have concerns about a member of staff. The management team often reviews children's accidents to check for any emerging patterns or cause for concern.

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should:

n support staff to further extend their teaching practice, to enhance children's exploration and understanding of diversity through everyday play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY460803 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10286088 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 22 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Westmill Nursery Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01763 273005 Date of previous inspection 31 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Westmill Nursery registered in 2013. The nursery providers employ eight members of childcare staff, six of whom hold early years qualifications at level 3, and one holds early years professional status. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, during school term times. Sessions are from 9.20am to 1.20pm, with an extended session operating from 1.20pm to 2.20pm, on Monday through to Thursday.

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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 manager and inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the areas used for learning, the curriculum and what they want children to learn, both inside and outdoors, including a walk to the local woodland area. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n Children spoke about what they are doing at the nursery. n Parents spoke to the inspector, who took their views of the nursery into account. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including suitability records and first-aid certificates of staff members.

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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

10 May 2023 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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