Windmill Day Nursery

Inspection of Windmill Day Nursery 6 Church Road, Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire FY5 2TZ

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children enjoy coming to the setting to see staff and their friends and happily play together. They are confident to leave their parents at the door. Staff provide an environment where children run in and choose the activities they wish to take part in. Staff have formed strong relationships with children, and children enjoy the warmth, security and understanding of their key person. Children are confident and show that they feel safe and secure as they chat away, discussing what they have had for their breakfast and where they went at the weekend. Children of all ages behave well and play harmoniously together. Staff organise the day to allow lots of opportunities for children to practise taking turns and sharing. Staff support some children who are still learning these skills. They guide children in a sensitive and consistent way. For example, staff remind children to be kind and take turns riding

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The provision is good

Staff provide a variety of exciting learning opportunities for children to choose from to ignite their thirst for learning. Children relish the opportunity to get messy as they squish and squeeze wet sand in a tray. Staff encourage children to role play and pretend the large cardboard box is a boat. Children pretend they are swimming in the sea as they demonstrate swimming actions with their arms. Children pretend they are jumping into the sea, giggle with their friends and chat excitedly about it being wet. Staff snuggle with younger children while they enjoy sitting and listening attentively to stories. The children follow instructions to find the animals they can see in the story.

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need to do better?

n The management team has clear curriculum aims and knows what it wants staff to focus their teaching on to help children make progress. The current focus for children is to develop their communication and language skills. Staff understand the importance of this and make good use of opportunities to join in with children's play and conversations. Staff sing songs and rhymes, and children thoroughly enjoy joining in. Children are confident talkers, and they chat away to each other and staff. n Staff provide opportunities for children to learn about the community that they live in. Recently, children travelled to the local beach on the bus. They spent the day digging in the sand and finding crabs and shells. This contributes to broadening children's horizons. n The staff support children to learn the skills they need for their next stage in learning and eventual move to school. Young children are able to confidently

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need to do better?

name colours and shapes. Older children are learning to write their own names and recognise letters and the sounds they represent. The staff carry out termly assessments on children to swiftly identify any gaps in learning. Strategies are

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need to do better?

5 March 2024 put in place to ensure these gaps are addressed and children make good progress in their learning. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well by the dedicated coordinator. She provides resources and guidance to help staff plan activities so that targeted support is given to close any gaps in learning. Staff work well with other professionals. They successfully implement specific learning programmes designed to support children who need extra help to make the best progress possible. n Parent partnerships are good, and parents report they are very pleased with the setting. They say staff are helpful and approachable. Staff and parents meet regularly to discuss children's progress. Staff offer valuable advice to parents to promote good behaviour and support children's learning at home. This provides children with consistent routines, boundaries and learning opportunities.

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need to do better?

n Overall, staff assess and monitor children's learning and track their progress well. However, children's next steps are not always clear and do not target fully what children need to learn next. This does not sharply focus on refining their learning. n During activities, staff get down to the children's level and actively engage with them. They chat about what they are doing and what they can see. Staff give children praise and provide a running commentary of what the children are doing. However, occasionally, staff do not expand on these discussions and make the best use of spontaneous opportunities to promote children's learning. This does not encourage children to develop their problem-solving and thinking skills. n Children enjoy the routines of their day. They learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Children freely access the outdoors for fresh air and exercise. They help themselves to a snack of milk, water and a variety of fruits. Children

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need to do better?

wash their hands before eating and after they have been to the toilet. They are aware of the importance of getting exercise, eating healthy food and not spreading germs.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n place an even sharper focus on identifying children's next steps in learning to help staff further support their progress n support staff to use spontaneous opportunities to promote children's thinking and problem-solving skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 502179 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10317168 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 49 Number of children on roll 56 Name of registered person Windmill Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01253 868 160 Date of previous inspection 22 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Windmill Day Nursery registered in 2001. The nursery employs 13 members of childcare staff. The manager holds early years professional status. There is one member of staff who holds an early years qualification at level 6, six members of staff at level 3 and three at level 2. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, except for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

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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 inspector completed a learning walk with the management team. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Joint observations were carried out with the different members of the management team. n The inspector spoke to parents, staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection and took account of their views and feedback. n The inspector held a meeting with the management team. She looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the provision.

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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

5 March 2024 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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