Windmill Hill Nursery

Inspection of Windmill Hill Nursery Windmill Hill South, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 6QE

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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

Staff welcome children warmly as they arrive happy and ready to start their day. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and content during their time at the nursery. They form close, secure attachments to the nurturing staff. The staff act as positive role models. They are warm, kind and offer reassurance when needed. Staff regularly praise children's positive behaviours. Children build friendships and show kind behaviours towards each other. As a result, children generally behave well and follow instructions. They have a strong sense of belonging and are self- assured and confident individuals.

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The provision is good

The curriculum is ambitious for all children. Staff are focused on identifying children's individual interests and developmental needs. With robust settling-in procedures and regular assessments, staff get to know their key children well. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), receive effective support to thrive, and they achieve their best individual outcomes.

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The provision is good

Staff offer learning opportunities that are enhanced with experiences, such as cultural celebrations and events to help children learn about mathematical concepts. For example, children carefully follow a recipe card as they create their own reindeer food. The count the scoops of oats as they carefully pour them into their containers. Children are well prepared for their next stage in learning.

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need to do better?

n Children with SEND are well supported. Staff work closely with a range of external professionals, recognising the importance of partnership working. They access targeted training and further advice to support children. As a result, children with SEND receive the personalised support they need to make good progress alongside their friends. n Staff provide high levels of support for children's communication and language development. They use various methods to support children, such as sign language and objects of reference alongside spoken words. Staff often introduce new words to children during play and take every opportunity to sing songs and read books. This has supported all children to make significant progress. As a result, children are continually developing their communication and language skills. n There is a strong safeguarding culture in the nursery. Staff carry out daily risk assessments and know how to record and report any concerns. However, the

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need to do better?

provider has failed to notify Ofsted of a change to the committee members. This is a legal requirement. However, there is no impact on children's safety because all staff and committee members have a criminal records check in place as part

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need to do better?

9 December 2024 of recruitment procedures. Therefore, this means there is no impact on children's welfare. n Children's independence starts at an early age. Young children wash their hands, often without prompting, before eating. However, on occasion, staff do not follow good hygiene practices. For instance, they often encourage children to select their own snack, although they do not provide anything to put this on, encouraging the children to put it directly onto the table. This does not consistently promote children's good health and potentially increases the spread of germs. n Staff recognise and value the partnerships they build with children's families and carers. Parents say that staff are supportive and welcoming and that children enjoy their time at the nursery. However, not all parents receive the information about their children's next steps to enable them to support learning at home. This does not always promote continuity of learning for children.

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need to do better?

n Leaders reflect regularly on how they can continue to enhance the service that the setting offers, liaising with the local authority and other services. Practitioners make worthwhile changes to the environment, such as creating calm and cosy spaces for children. This helps to ensure that staff meet the individual needs of children. These adaptations are continually monitored to ensure their ongoing effectiveness. As a result, staff provide a safe and stimulating environment where children can thrive. n Staff support children's love for the outdoors effectively. Children have fun waving the large bubble wands back and forth and watch with fascination as the bubbles float up in the air. They excitedly run around trying to catch and pop the bubbles. Children gain a good understanding of the importance of outdoor play, such as to keep physically active and to get fresh air.

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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 support staff to provide more clear and consistent opportunities to enhance children's understanding of good health and hygiene practices n enhance partnerships with parents to support them to fully understand the next steps planned for their children to promote continuity of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY346757 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10363750 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 55 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Windmill Hill Nursery Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01928 759384 Date of previous inspection 8 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Windmill Hill Nursery registered in 2007. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from levels 3 to 5. The nursery opens for a variety of sessions from 8.30am until 6pm from Monday to Friday, during term time only. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The manager and staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff and committee memebers. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a song-time activity.

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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

9 December 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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