Westwards Nursery

Inspection of Westwards Nursery 8 Burton Street, Loughborough LE11 2DT

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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 enjoy their time in this warm and homely setting. They are supported well by the kind and knowledgeable staff. Children settle quickly and make good progress in their learning. Staff encourage children to share and take turns from a young age. Children of all ages play well together, creating a positive learning environment. Very young children smile at each other as they take it in turns to handle and explore the different components of a wooden toy. Older children invite their friends to join them in the role-play area as they pretend to be doctors and patients. Children are encouraged by staff to take turns using knives to chop different fruits to share at snack time.

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The provision is good

Leaders have a clear curriculum that focuses on children's communication and language skills. Staff regularly read to children. Children of all ages develop a love of books and stories as they enjoy listening to their favourites. Staff give children time to fill in the end of sentences or to make predictions about what they can see in the pictures. They provide activities that enable children to discover stories in different ways. For example, children show their imagination as they pretend to walk through mud and grass on a sensory bear hunt. Staff talk to children as they play and during daily routines. They offer a commentary and frequently use signs and visual aids to help all children to understand and develop their communication skills.

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need to do better?

n Staff know children well and overall their interactions with them are encouraging and positive. They gather detailed information from parents when children start and use this, along with their knowledge of child development, to plan activities that support children's good progress. However, on occasion staff do not present some activities as well as they could. Consequently, at times children do not maintain their interest and engagement in activities to support a deeper level of learning. n Children's physical development is supported well by staff. Young children are offered time on their tummy to help strengthen their core muscles. When children are ready staff encourage them to pull stand on the well-placed furniture in preparation to take independent steps. Older children learn to handle tools and utensils with skill and confidence as staff encourage them to serve themselves lunch and pour their own drinks.

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need to do better?

n Staff complete accurate assessments of what children know and can do. They work closely together with parents and other professionals to ensure that children receive the support they need. n Staff pay high regard to children's health and well-being. They support children to attend to their own self-care needs. Children know to wash their hands before

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need to do better?

13 November 2024 eating and find a tissue to wipe their own noses when needed. Staff talk to children about oral hygiene and the importance of looking after their teeth. Staff are attentive to children's individual routines. They recognise when children are tired and ensure that they can sleep safely and comfortably for as long as they need. n Partnerships with parents are positive. Staff provide parents with regular updates about children's learning and progress through an online application and face-to-face meetings. The addition of a lending library enables parents to borrow books to read with their children at home. Parents speak highly of all the staff and appreciate the experiences the setting provides outside of the nursery. For example, time spent at the forest school and trips to places of interest in the local area. n Children build strong friendships with their peers and have warm relationships

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need to do better?

with staff. Children understand what is expected of them as staff offer clear and consistent messages. Older children safely walk up and down the stairs. They know they must hold onto the handrail and walk one at a time. Staff offer lots of praise and encouragement and praise children's achievements, promoting their self-esteem and confidence. n Leaders demonstrate that they know their setting well and have a clear ethos and strong vision for the nursery that is shared with staff and families. Leaders support staff's well-being effectively. They meet regularly with staff and encourage them to complete training to help build on their knowledge and skills. This has helped foster a strong and well-established staff team. This contributes to the positive environment for children and a very strong setting overall.

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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 strengthen interactions with children to help them to sustain their interest and engagement in activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY553923 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10363773 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Absolute Healthcare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01509 214551 Date of previous inspection 8 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Westwards Nursery registered in 2017. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff, of whom 13 hold appropriate qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6, including one with early years professional status and two who have qualified teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 6pm, all year round, except for public holidays and one week over the Christmas period. The nursery provides government funded places for children aged nine months to four years.

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Inspection activities

n The provider, deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact on children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector throughout the inspection. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector held a meeting with the management team. She reviewed relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff to work in the nursery. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the provider and the manager. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector.

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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

13 November 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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