Westbank Kidzone

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children enjoy a warm and inviting learning environment, which is full of interesting activities and toys for them to play with. They make independent choices about what activities they engage in, and resources are easily accessible. Children enjoy playing in a 'den' area that has been created with sheets pegged to string by the staff.

They like playing in this area and extend the game to pretend to be parents taking their children for a walk in their prams. Children enjoy this role play and develop their creative skills as the game evolves and is guided by staff.Children play outdoors, and older children are independent in put...ting their coats and boots on.

Whatever the weather, staff enable children to go outdoors as often as they like. Children explore quantity, texture and use their fine motor skills as they clear a sand tray of rainwater to help it dry out for future play. Children are happy and confident in the nursery.

They communicate well and are secure in explaining what they are doing, why and what they would like to do next. They know they are unique and that their opinions matter.Children have access to plenty of creative areas to paint, draw and mould things out of clay.

They develop fine motor skills while using rolling pins and shape cutters.

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

The manager has developed an ambitious curriculum, and she shares this well with the staff. They ensure that children have the knowledge they need to succeed in life.

Staff listen to children. Children are supported and guided to take risks and learn new things. They make good progress in learning and developing new skills.

The manager's teaching skills are highly effective. However, at times, activities taught by other members of staff are not as well planned as they could be. As a result, the learning aim of an activity is not achieved by the children.

The nursery has a wide selection of books. Staff regularly read to the children. Children love listening to 'Whatever Next' and ask for it to be read again.

Staff take children to visit the local library. Children develop a love of reading, and they enjoy holding conversations with staff. They are given time to think and know their opinions matter.

Generally, staff are aware of the importance of their own speaking and listening to enable children to hear and develop their own language and vocabulary well. However, opportunities to introduce new words to the children are sometimes missed, and this reduces the development of an even richer vocabulary.The nursery has strong links with parents.

The manager and staff communicate with the parents daily. Parents give positive feedback about the children's progress and development. Parents comment that activities are interesting and children are happy.

Staff encourage children to be independent. For example, they enable children to pick their choice of snack with serving tongs. Staff support children to make healthy food choices and to develop good personal hygiene practices, such as brushing their teeth and regularly washing their hands.

Staff help children to explore and express their emotions.Staff have good links with the local primary school. Children visit the school for transition sessions.

They are well prepared and confident for their next stage of learning.Children concentrate well and are happily engaged in their learning. For example, children play well with clay to create shapes and use moulding tools.

They enjoy playing with tractors and replica recycling lorries. They know their colours and can name parts of a vehicle. Children are happy to explain how they recently saw a recycling lorry near the nursery and that the recycling men waved to them.

Older children can count and read blended sounds like 'ch' and 'sh'.Staff support the children to understand and celebrate other religions and cultures. They recently explored the festival of Diwali.

Staff take children on exciting outings to the beach, which enhances the children's knowledge of the local area and the natural world.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Managers have created good safeguarding arrangements.

Staff know what is expected of them with regards to safeguarding. They know how to spot the signs of possible abuse. They are confident in how to put safeguarding policies into practice and how to refer any concerns.

Staff know what to do if they are worried about the behaviour of another member of staff. Managers follow a thorough and effective recruitment procedure. Staff inductions are very thorough.

New staff feel confident and well supported in their working environment. Managers conduct regular appraisals to ensure staff are suitable to work with children.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: support staff to improve the planning of activities to ensure that learning aims are met and children make even better progress foster learning opportunities that consistently enable all children to develop a broader vocabulary, to enhance their language and communication skills further.

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