Windmill Hill Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

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.

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.

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.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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 of recruitment procedures. Therefore, this means there is no impact on children's welfare.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

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