Windmill Nursery Centre

In January 2023, individual communication needs shaped daily life at Windmill Nursery Centre: visual prompts, carefully chosen activities and support from specialist professionals gave children several ways to participate. At its January 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective.

Windmill has capacity for 50 children at 135 Windmill Lane, Greenford, UB6 9DZ. Children attending in January 2023 were aged two to five; that age range describes the children at that time.

In January 2023, room placement took account of each child's needs. The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. In January 2023, children practised communication through singing and pictures, social interaction through bucket time and managing emotions with familiar stories or toys.

Daily bucket time used objects and activities to develop attention, interaction and language, with the activity adjusted for individual children. Makaton signs accompanied speech, pictures and singing as ways to communicate. These gave children ways to engage beyond spoken instructions alone.

Visual schedules helped children anticipate what would happen next. There was an important limitation: in January 2023, staff sometimes missed opportunities to describe children's play and extend their language. Consistent use of the existing communication strategies was the improvement priority.

At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children made good progress towards individual targets, supported by plans developed with specialist professionals, and that staff responded well to children's emotional needs.

In January 2023, settling began with home visits and time spent playing at nursery alongside a parent, followed by gradual separation. This gave staff a chance to learn about the child before expecting them to manage time apart. Familiar songs, stories or toys also helped children manage difficult moments.

Support involved occupational therapists and paediatricians alongside educational psychologists and speech and language therapists. In January 2023, staff shared strategies with parents for use at home and helped families identify a suitable next school. Professional advice and colleagues' support also contributed to staff development, connecting individual plans with everyday practice.

In January 2023, opening hours were 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, across 48 weeks of the year. These were opening hours rather than a specified session pattern.

At that time, the nursery received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four. That dated participation should be kept separate from a family's current funding and attendance arrangements.

• Consistency of language support. In January 2023, effective communication techniques were used unevenly. This matters for children who need adults to reinforce language throughout their play.
• Attendance and settling. The January 2023 arrangements combined a daytime opening window with gradual separation from parents. At a visit, which current attendance and funded-hours arrangement would accommodate your child's settling needs?

Windmill merits consideration by families who value individual communication support and close coordination with specialist professionals. Its January 2023 strengths centred on tailored activities, gradual settling and practical help for parents. Consistency in everyday language support is the counterweight: the techniques were there, but their use needed attention.