Little Acorns Childcare

Little Acorns Childcare Christian Resource Centre, Pentecostal Church, Oakes Road, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32 6PX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 March 2015 19 May 2009

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 The partnerships with parents are highly effective. Staff foster exceptionally purposeful relationships which encourage them to be actively involved in their children's ongoing learning and development.  Staff observe, and are quick to accurately identify, children's starting points. This information is used exceptionally well to plan inspiring experiences across the prime and specific areas of learning. As a result, children become motivated and excited to learn.  Assessment for learning is sharply focused and monitored extremely well. Timely interventions are secured in order to provide targeted support based on an inclusive knowledge of the child.  The high expectations of staff, along with their excellent attention to delivering consistent messages, result in children's exemplary behaviour. Positive reinforcement with plenty of descriptive praise and encouragement effectively promotes children's

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This provision is outstanding

self-esteem. This helps to make sure that they are emotionally well prepared for the next stages in their learning.  All staff demonstrate that they have an excellent understanding about minimising potential risks to children. They have an excellent knowledge about the signs of abuse and a very clear awareness about their responsibility to protect children from harm.  All records are meticulously maintained and systematic recording systems mean that pertinent information is in place. Excellent attention is paid to the safe storage of both paper and electronic records. All members of staff and the committee respect the confidentiality of families at all times.

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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

 enrich further the very good teaching and cultural learning opportunities for children to explore expressive arts, introducing them to creative adults within the local environment, such as artists, dancers, story-tellers and musicians.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed general play, snack and lunchtime routines within the nursery.  The inspector talked with the manager, staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability checks for all members of staff, and a range of other documentation. Training certificates for first-aid and safeguarding were viewed.  The inspector held discussions with the manager in relation to observations of the children's play, learning and progress.  The inspector reviewed the provider's online self-evaluation record.

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who attend. This is outstanding

All staff provide extraordinary support for children. They use their teaching skills exceptionally well, providing children with imaginative opportunities to extend their learning to the optimum. Children's development in communication, literacy and mathematics is promoted consistently as part of the daily routines. For example, as children arrive each day, they find their name card to register their attendance. When deciding who wants to play outside, children are encouraged to use their developing understanding of addition and join in the head count. This enables them to use their number knowledge and to learn to make sure that all children remain safely accounted for. Children are keen to practise writing skills, creating lists in role play or pushing their fingers into gloop or shaving foam. They test out their growing ability to write messages as they play outside, using sticks to draw in the mud and chalks to make patterns on the

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who attend. This is outstanding

path. Children enthusiastically join in creative activities and explore the similarities and differences of other cultures. However, there is scope to enhance this learning to the optimum by extending exploration of local art and meeting creative people within the community.

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outstanding

Staff understand the importance of teaching children about safety. For example, excellent first-hand learning experiences, such as a visit from local fire officers, help children to learn about fire safety. They learn about the importance of immediately exiting a building in the event of a fire, when told to do so by their teachers. They learn about calling for emergency help using 999. During snack, staff sit with children helping them to learn about the significance of a well-balanced diet, so their bones and muscles grow strong. Especially good attention is paid to the layout of the nursery and provision of child-height storage. This provides children with the freedom to enjoy making their own selection of activities. This significantly increases their developing independence and self-help skills. Children enjoy a very wide range of physical activity, helping them to develop control over moving their bodies and increasing their coordination, balance and spatial awareness.

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provision is outstanding

The manager and committee implement robust selection and recruitment procedures. This ensures that all staff are thoroughly checked prior to working with children. Detailed appraisals and the excellent attention to continuing staff training, makes sure practice continues to be pertinent. As a result, all groups of children make excellent progress towards the early learning goals. Furthermore, it promotes the delivery of dynamic learning opportunities for children. Staff, parents and children are involved in the continuous development of the nursery. This means their voices are heard and their childcare needs met. The nursery also runs a weekly mother and toddler group and staff work closely with other professionals when helping to staff the monthly baby clinic. This results in excellent continuity of care for children and their families.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY294901 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 872941 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 51 Name of provider Little Acorns Childcare Committee Date of previous inspection 19 May 2009 Telephone number 01284756588

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Setting details

Little Acorns Childcare registered in 2005. The setting employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, one member of staff holds an Early Years Foundation degree and is now working towards level 6. An administrator, who is working towards a level 3 in childcare, provides office support. The nursery opens, from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8.30am until 3.30pm. The setting also opens during school holidays subject to demand. Little Acorns provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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