Acorns

Acorns The Grange School, Staverton Road, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 4HW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 March 2015 6 October 2010

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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 responsible for children in the early years age range address continuity of care and learning well. This is because links between the out-of-school club, parents and teaching staff are strong.  Children's speaking and listening skills and their critical thinking are promoted well by staff while they talk together in a small group.  Children are happy, confident and sociable. Relationships between the staff and children are good.  Children make good progress in their physical development. They practise skills while they play on challenging climbing equipment and staff support them well, so that they learn to use tools, such as scissors.  Children play in a safe and welcoming environment. They are safeguarded because staff members understand their role in protecting children from abuse and neglect.  Leadership and management are effective in driving improvement. The provider and manager demonstrate a commitment to reviewing the provision to identify priorities

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This provision is good

that have a positive impact on children's achievements.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children's creativity and curiosity are not consistently promoted effectively by staff. Planned activities do not always take account of how children may want to develop their own ideas and explore a range of different media and materials.

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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

 extend opportunities for children to explore and experiment with a wider range of different materials, to enhance their creativity and encourage them to find things out for themselves.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the indoor and outdoor play areas.  The inspector held meetings with the provider and the manager, and spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at a selection of children's records, policies and procedures and a range of other documentation.  The inspector checked evidence of staff members' suitability and qualifications.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day.

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who attend. This is good

Children enjoy their time at the out-of-school club. Their care and learning needs are met well by staff and they play in a well-resourced environment. The session after school begins with a group discussion about their day. Children speak confidently when staff ask if they would like to tell their friends about something new that they have learned during the day. They readily take turns and listen to others. Chosen subjects include their interpretation of the Easter story. Children use their language skills well as they dress-up and pretend that they are getting married. A planned activity gives children an opportunity to practise pencil control while colouring in a rabbit that has been drawn by staff. They are asked if they would like to make Easter cards. Staff provide glue, tissue paper and pictures of Easter eggs for children to cut out for themselves. However, most children choose not to take part. Staff do not give consideration to how they can make changes to the activity,

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who attend. This is good

in order to inspire children's interest.

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good

Children are happy and settled, as a result of positive relationships between themselves, their key person and other staff. Parents are asked to visit with their child before he or she attends for the first time, to help them to feel emotionally secure. Children's good health is promoted well. Staff provide a healthy snack and they ensure that there are opportunities for children to be physically active during every session. There is large play equipment in a covered outdoor area adjacent to the playroom. Children climb with confidence and they are aware of safety rules while doing so, such as going down the slide one at a time. Their awareness of the natural world is extended when they explore the extensive school grounds. Children behave well and play cooperatively. Their independence is promoted effectively by staff, for example, they put their own coats on and manage their self-care needs.

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provision is good

Staff are aware of their responsibilities to protect children from harm. Children's best interests are served because the provider ensures that staff keep their child protection knowledge and first-aid skills up to date. Recruitment and selection procedures are clear and vetting procedures to assess staff members' suitability are thorough. The provider ensures that the monitoring of practice is robust. The priority is to ensure that the link between school and the out-of-school club is maximised. This results in progression and continuity of care for children while they have fun in a relaxed play environment. The manager identifies that knowledge and skills are shared between staff members. For example, those who hold playwork qualifications share knowledge gained on training that is focused on teaching children how to manage risks. A current priority for improvement is to increase the choice of sensory-play resources. Parents share very positive views about

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Setting details

Unique reference number 219945 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 865827

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Type of provision

Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 46 Number of children on roll 99 Name of provider Acorns at The Grange School Committee Date of previous inspection 6 October 2010 Telephone number 01327 705785

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Type of provision

Acorns was registered in 1998. The out-of-school club employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven are qualified in early years or playwork at level 3 or are teaching assistants qualified at level 3. There are two teaching assistants qualified at level 2. The provision opens from Monday to Friday term time, 7.30am to 8.40am and from 3.15pm to 6pm. During school holidays, the provision opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, except for the Christmas and New Year holiday.

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Type of provision

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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Type of provision

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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Type of provision

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Type of provision

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

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