Little Acorns New Earswick Ltd

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD Telephone: 0300 123 1231 Fax: 0300 123 3159 Minicom: 0161 618 8524 Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk Web: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Little Acorns Day Nursery Hartrigg Oaks, Lucombe Way New Earswick YORK YO32 4DS Our Reference EY464798

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Monitoring for provision judged as inadequate

An Ofsted inspector, Janet Fairhurst, monitored your provision on 15/04/2014 following your inspection where the provision was judged to be inadequate.

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Outcome of monitoring

As a result of our inspection on 15/01/2014, we sent you a notice to improve. The actions you were set are included at the end of this letter.

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Outcome of monitoring

During the monitoring visit the inspector discussed with you the steps that have been taken to address the actions raised in the notice to improve. She observed staff interaction and practice in the two- to- three-year-old group room. The inspector also spoke to you, individual members of staff, and a representative from the local authority. She examined documentation to confirm that Disclosure and Barring Service details are obtained and accurately maintained. She looked at attendance registers and sampled children's learning journal.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that you have developed a clear action plan to address the issues raised at your last inspection and that you have quickly implemented these plans. Records show that all members of staff have a current Disclosure and Barring Service check in place with the exception of two staff who are waiting for these to be received. The records you maintain include the reference numbers, the date when the disclosure was obtained and details of who obtained it. This demonstrates that staff have been appropriately vetted to ensure their suitability to work with children. Procedures are in place to ensure all staff are aware of those staff who are awaiting checks to ensure they are supervised at all times.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector observed that you have sufficient staff when the setting first opens in the morning. You have employed two new members of staff, and created an additional shift rota which means that the staff to child ratio requirements are met at all times of the day. Our Reference EY464798

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Outcome of monitoring

You and the staff team have reviewed the use of the space and the rooms used during the first part of the day. As a result, children's key persons or alternatively their buddy key person, now greet children in their own base room where they have access to resources which are age appropriate for them. The inspector observed children leaving their parents with ease and happily engaged in worthwhile activities that captured their interests. This demonstrates that children's individual learning needs are met, and their emotional well-being is supported by staff.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector observed that resources to help develop children's skills in mathematics are freely available to them, both indoors and outdoors. Staff have created a vocabulary prompt list which is prominently displayed and highlights a range of mathematical vocabulary that staff can use as children play. Staff state this has helped them to take advantage of every opportunity to promote mathematical development in children's play. For example, staff were observed using mathematical vocabulary, such as 'full', 'empty' and 'more' during breakfast time. This helps children to understand concepts, such as quantity and capacity. The numbers displayed in the environment and the newly introduced and well-resourced mathematics area help to raise children's awareness of how numbers are used in everyday life. The arrangements for outdoor play have been improved. You have employed two new members of staff. This has had a positive impact on staff who

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Outcome of monitoring

now feel confident that they can provide children with the appropriate supervision and interaction required outdoors. As a result, children have the freedom to access wheeled toys and climbing equipment at all times. Additionally, you have introduced senior management meetings with a clear focus on reviewing the quality of planning to ensure that all areas of learning are given sufficient focus.

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Outcome of monitoring

You have worked closely with the local early years team to make improvements to the service you provide and in changing your practices to meet the legal requirements set out in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a result, you have been able to accurately identify in your action plan what needs to be improved since your last inspection and you can demonstrate that you know how to maintain these improvements.

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Outcome of monitoring

Having considered all the evidence, the inspector is of the opinion that the setting has taken prompt and effective action to address the points for improvement.

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Next steps

The next step will be a full inspection. Our Reference EY464798

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Next steps

I hope that you have found the visit helpful in promoting improvement in your setting. If you have any further queries please contact us on the number at the top of this letter.

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Next steps

Nick Hudson National Director, Early Education Our Reference EY464798

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Action Due date Closed date

improve the educational programme for mathematics by extending opportunities for children to develop their use of mathematical knowledge and language during everyday activities and routines, for example, by learning about and describing quantity and capacity at snack and mealtimes. 12/03/2014 15/04/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

record and maintain details of the identity checks and vetting processes that have been completed for all staff, including Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure reference numbers, the date when the disclosure was obtained and details of who obtained it 31/01/2014 15/04/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure staffing arrangements meet the needs of all children at all times of the day and that the staff to child ratio requirements set out in the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are consistently maintained 31/01/2014 15/04/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure staff deployment provides consistent and effective learning and emotional support to all children throughout the day and that the educational programme offered is effectively monitored to ensure that children benefit from access to all resources, good quality interaction and teaching support at all times 31/01/2014 15/04/2014

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