The Winchmore Hill Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are happy, confident and very well behaved in this welcoming nursery. Their needs, interests and routines are understood by staff, who work closely with parents. Children make a seamless transition from home.

They build strong bonds with staff, who are kind and nurturing. Children flourish in the caring environment. They learn to become increasingly independent and understand how to keep themselves safe.

Children are naturally curious in the activities that encourage them to follow their interests and to enjoy lots of new learning experiences. For example, children enjoy searching for insects in the outside sc...ience area and then finding out about their individual characteristics.All children understand and follow the well-established routines.

Pre-school children happily line up before going outside and wait patiently for staff to help them walk down the stairs. This helps children learn how to keep safe. Children are kind and considerate towards each other and the staff who care for them.

They enjoy finding out about significant cultural traditions, celebrating them with their friends. This helps children understand the differences between each other and the world they live in.

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

The manager provides a clear vision for the nursery.

She is not afraid to take risks, as she strives to provide a curriculum which is broad and creative. She knows her staff well, supporting them to build on their teaching skills through well-planned training sessions and regular supervision. Staff have high expectations of the children.

They implement the curriculum, which builds on what the children already know and supports their creative expression.Staff support children to become independent and confident learners. For example, babies freely choose the toys they are interested in and toddlers select books they would like staff to read to them.

Staff carefully sequence the curriculum to help children acquire the knowledge and skills they need for school.Overall, staff understand the importance of communication and language. They ensure children develop a love of reading and books, by providing well-resourced book areas in every room and reading to the children regularly.

However, on occasions, some staff do not give children enough time to respond to their questions and do not model the correct spoken vocabulary.Staff use observation and assessment well to find out what children can do and what they need to learn next. Activities take account of children's individual needs and allow them to practise and extend their skills.

All children, including bilingual learners and those who have additional needs, make good progress in their learning.Staff provide children with lots of opportunities to be physically active and to develop their muscle control. For example, babies use their hands and feet to paint and pre-school children use chopsticks to pick up objects, developing their finger control.

The outside area is well equipped to support the children's larger physical development. Children learn to keep themselves healthy. They enjoy well-planned, nutritious meals and snacks.

Staff quickly identify children who have additional needs and put support plans in place. They seek advice of other professionals, such as speech and language therapists. Staff act on the specialist's advice and devise learning targets.

They share these targets with parents so that they can support their child's learning at home.Children's behaviour is outstanding. Staff have very high expectations for children's conduct.

All children happily follow instructions without needing reminders and understand that good behaviour keeps themselves and others safe. They know how to share and take turns when playing. They show empathy for others when they become upset and recognise the impact that their own behaviour has on others.

Parents praise the changes the nursery made to keep their children safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes allowed the nursery to stay open. Parents are happy to wait at the front door to pick up their children, as they know staff will pass on relevant information about their child's day.

They appreciate the warm and friendly staff and the good communication.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff ensure all children are safe at nursery.

They understand the signs that a child may be at risk of harm and know what to do if they have concerns. They also know what to do if they are concerned about the conduct of a colleague and how to make their own safeguarding referral. The manager ensures all training is up to date and regularly tests staff knowledge to deepen their understanding.

Recruitment of staff is robust and the manager checks ongoing suitability. The building is secure, well organised and free from risk.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: provide enough time for children to consider and answer questions and ensure staff model the correct vocabulary.