Acorns Day Nursery

Acorns Day Nursery Acorns Nursery/Sevenoaks Primary School, Bradbourne Park Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3LB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 February 2015 28 February 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 Staff are aware of children's needs and abilities. They use accurate assessments to provide suitable activities to progress children's learning and development.  The key person system is effective in promoting children's well-being and children form secure relationships with staff.  Children display good behaviour and manners, and this is encouraged and praised by staff.  The environment is bright and welcoming. A wide variety of resources are available to children, indoors and outdoors, to enhance their learning and emotional well-being.  The provider actively encourages professional development and staff have access to regular training.  Staff actively engage with parents and outside agencies to ensure that appropriate support is provided for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 There is some inconsistency within the staff team in the quality of support to extend children's vocabularies during play.  Some staff do not take all opportunities within the daily routine to fully promote children's independence.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 enhance opportunities within daily routines to further promote children's independence  provide more consistent support to extend children's vocabularies.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's play and learning throughout the day.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including development records and key policies.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the deputy manager.  The inspector took account of parents' views through discussions.  The inspector engaged in discussions with staff and the Special Educational Needs Coordinator.

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who attend. This is good

Staff use their secure knowledge of individual children's skills and abilities to provide suitably challenging activities. Children work at developmentally appropriate levels. For example, babies are placed on their stomachs to be able to move around and explore independently, also developing their physical skills. The environment is well-resourced to meet the needs of all children. Climbing equipment has been attached to a tree to enhance the climbing experience for children. Staff make use of puppets and emotion masks to develop children's emotional understanding and development. Staff effectively use opportunities to link learning experiences throughout the day. For example, staff helped children understand why they needed to walk carefully indoors when they had paint on their feet by comparing it to the slippery ice outside. Staff do not however, consistently extend children's vocabulary by reinforcing language relevant to the activities

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good

Staff are good role models and consistently promote safety, health and hygiene practices. They actively engage with children and fully participate in activities. For example, staff engaged in the foot painting activity with the children, showing them what to do and modelling safety. Staff know when to actively support children and when to step back to give them opportunities to explore independently. In the pre-school room independence is encouraged through children's self-selection of snacks. This practice is not consistent however, and staff working with the children aged two to three years do not always take opportunities to promote independence . For example, staff pre-prepare the snack for the children. Effective partnerships between staff, parents and outside agencies ensure that children are well prepared and supported for any move between rooms or settings.

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provision is good

Management have a robust appraisal system ensuring strengths and weaknesses are identified and achievable professional development targets are set. Staff feel well supported and many opportunities are provided to develop their knowledge and practice. The Special Educational Needs Coordinator is part of a forum that meets regularly to discuss issues and to provide support needed to meet the needs of children with specific requirements. Parents contribute to their children's learning records and are kept well- informed of their children's progress and development. All staff demonstrate a clear understanding and knowledge of the signs and symptoms of harm to children, as well as the procedures to follow should the need arise.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 126962 Local authority Kent Inspection number 840591 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 39 Number of children on roll 53 Name of provider Company Child Care Ltd Date of previous inspection 28 February 2011 Telephone number 01732 459162

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Setting details

Acorns Nursery registered in 1990. The nursery operates Monday to Friday, from 8am until 6pm for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery receives funding to provide free education to children aged three and four. There are 16 members of staff qualified to level 3. The nursery manager holds a first class Honours Degree in Early Education, with Early Years Professional Status.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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