Westwood Nursery

Inspection of Westwood Nursery University of Bath, The Avenue, Claverton Down, BATH BA2 7AY

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Parents greatly value the positive, inclusive and supportive atmosphere at this nursery. Staff are exceptionally responsive to children's feelings, interests and changing needs. Each child's key person is carefully outlined from the observed natural bonds that babies and children build with staff, respecting children's choices and individuality. Children form very strong relationships with them and the other staff in their room, settling very well into nursery life. Children thrive on the respect, attention and care they receive. Subsequently, their behaviour is exemplary. They offer support to their friends, are caring with younger children and build very confident and positive attitudes.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff place considerable emphasis on supporting each child's learning needs and form experiences, activities and their teaching into a highly child-focused curriculum. Children gain exceptional communication skills, including those who speak multiple languages. Staff consistently offer signs and actions to supplement and extend their communication with babies. Toddlers excitedly learn songs as they act these out in activities with staff. Pre-school children's conversation skills are fluent and confident. Babies develop superb listening skills and show high engagement for their age. Group times are exceptionally well led. Children use greetings in other languages, including older babies. Toddlers show exceptional confidence, grinning as they take turns to dance and wiggle as the group sing and clap their names. Pre-school children count in their home language, leading their whole group to join them. This highly inclusive practice thoughtfully teaches

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The provision is outstanding

children to embrace their differences, value what makes them unique and develop a strong character. Children are exceptionally well prepared for life in modern Britain and their future education.

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need to do better?

n Parents say that staff's high aspirations, dedication and compassion shine through in the work they do for the children. First-time parents are very grateful for the advice staff give them, helping them navigate milestones and support their children's learning at home. Staff have regular meetings with parents to discuss children's progress. They very promptly outline any areas where children may need further support and work in a concerted way to get children the help they need to reach their potential. n There is incredibly effective leadership at this nursery. Leaders frequently observe staff teaching to ensure that it is of a very high quality. Staff undertake training targeted at extending their teaching relevant to the ages of the children they are working with. For example, new staff working in the baby room undertake early signing training to support babies' communication further. There are many long-standing and highly qualified staff. They work cohesively as a

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need to do better?

24 June 2025 team to continually reflect on and improve their practice and extend children's outcomes even further. n Staff's dynamic teaching fosters children to have high aspirations for what they can achieve. Children stay engaged in activities for considerable periods. Babies excitedly explore paint freely, using brushes and their hands and feet. Toddlers make play dough in pairs, learning to work together and explore maths concepts and create with the dough. Older children imaginatively explore sticks in their woodland session. Staff skilfully model their thinking and approach, inspiring children's creativity and perseverance. Children are exceptionally well set up for life's challenges. n Mealtimes are a social occasion where children enjoy chatting with staff and each other. Children gain excellent independence skills. Babies toddle over for snack and wipe their hands in their flannel ready to eat. Toddlers collect their

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need to do better?

drinks and find their name at the table. Pre-school children clear away their dishes. Staff build children's skills excellently. Older toddlers learn to use a knife and fork at lunchtime, in readiness for their move to the pre-school room. Consequently, all the older children show exceptional dexterity and coordination, using their knife to cut their food and push food onto their fork to eat. n Staff are very in tune with children. They quickly pick up on what arouses children's curiosity. Staff observe babies tapping items and noticing the noise they create. They find babies instruments to tap to extend their exploration and learning further. Toddlers are fascinated by fresh herbs and snip these with scissors that staff provide to add to their play dough. Staff follow pre-school children's interest in pine cones, finding them containers to collect these and discussing sizes and other characteristics.

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need to do better?

n Staff inspire children to be active and promote healthy lifestyle choices and their interest in the world around them. Babies perfect their walking skills and balance, and they relish exploring inviting sensory activities. Toddlers build early friendships while they enjoy the freedom to explore slopes and equipment in the garden. Older children beneficially learn to recognise and manage risks in their woodland sessions. Staff skilfully foster a love of nature and children's interest soars as they hunt for bugs, naming the different types and excitedly find a beetle.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number 133105 Local authority Bath and North East Somerset Council Inspection number 10398598 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 48 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person University of Bath

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reference number

Telephone number 01225 386 518 Date of previous inspection 31 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Westwood Nursery registered in 1992 and originally opened in 1970. It operates from Bath University in Claverton Down, Bath. The nursery serves both the campus and the local area. The nursery is open every weekday, from 8.30am until 5.30pm, and operates for 48 weeks of the year. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of whom, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 6, 12 at level 3 and one at level 2. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education to children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed all areas and discussed with the manager how these areas are used. n The manager and the inspector evaluated the effectiveness of an activity together. n The inspector observed the children and the staff and spoke with them at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector discussed the leadership and management of the nursery with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the provision with the inspector. n Relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including suitability checks and paediatric first-aid qualifications. n The manager discussed children's safety and child protection procedures, and safeguarding discussions were undertaken with members of the staff team.

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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

24 June 2025 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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