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Early years · Early years inspection (CIF)

Little Acorns Day Nursery Ltd

Inspected 29 May 2015 · published 25 Jun 2015 · URN EY104025

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Summary

Outstanding

Amanda Tompkin

What we read, and from where

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  • Inspection date verified

    29 May 2015

  • Inspectors verified

    Amanda Tompkin

  • Early years verified

    Outstanding

  • Overall effectiveness verified

    Outstanding

  • Previous overall verified

    Outstanding

  • Postcode verified

    HR2 9EY

  • Name on report verified

    Little Acorns Day Nursery Ltd

  • URN verified

    EY104025

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of the report with the evidence highlighted

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Grade profile

Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2009.

  • OverallOutstanding
  • Early yearsOutstanding

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

+85Very positivemore positive than 28% of reports of this type graded Outstanding
OutstandingGoodMetRIInadequateNot met

In line with other reports of this type graded Outstanding.

Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.

Praiseexcellentextremelyexceptionalinspirationalhighly skilledexceptionallyoutstandingrapid progress
Criticismconcernsgaps

How the report reads, start to finish

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FindingsAbout the inspectionWhat needs to improve positive critical
  • Findings363w+85
  • What needs to improve32w+50

Strengths

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Concerns

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No strong criticism found.

Next steps

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What the report dwells on

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Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
5
Words of findings
388
shorter than usual (typical 737)
Reading level
Hard
Flesch 36, typical 43
Average sentence
14 words
Next steps
1
typical 1
Hedged sentences
0%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 28%What needs to improve 3%About the inspection 69%

Full report text

Little Acorns Day Nursery Ltd Cooks Lane, Kingstone, Hereford, HR2 9EY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 May 2015 3 August 2009

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 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 quality of teaching and staff's interaction with children is outstanding. Staff have an in-depth knowledge of children and how they learn, which ensures they are able to extensively promote children's development across all areas of learning.  Activities are relevant and extremely rewarding, promoting children's imaginations and excitement for learning. Children become highly skilled, confident and articulate learners, who are gaining all the necessary skills they require for starting school.  Children are very happy and emotionally secure in the nursery because staff obtain detailed information from parents about each child's well-being and needs.  The safeguarding arrangements in the nursery are excellent. All staff have a thorough understanding of their responsibility to protect children and to keep them safe. Staff regularly refresh their knowledge, so that they are informed about up-to-date

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This provision is outstanding

procedures to report concerns.  Very strong relationships have been developed with parents and information is shared in various ways. This ensures that there is continuity in children's learning between home and the nursery.  High-quality professional development and training for staff, and consistent reviews of their practice, means that children continue to receive excellent learning experiences.

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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

 maximise opportunities to engage even greater parental involvement in children's learning, to build on their already rapid progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff engaging with children in a range of indoor and outdoor learning activities.  The inspector held discussions with the manager and staff.  The inspector looked at documentation, including a selection of policies and procedures and children's learning records. She also checked evidence of staff suitability and qualifications.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and carers, who were spoken to on the day.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager.

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who attend. This is outstanding

Staff use their excellent knowledge of how children learn, and their expertise in teaching, to provide an outstanding range of learning opportunities. As a result, children make very rapid progress in their learning and are acquiring the skills they need to help to prepare them for their move to school. Children are enthusiastic, excited learners and they benefit from the stimulating environments, both indoors and outdoors. Staff successfully extend children's self-initiated play. For example, when children observe that some of the ride-on toys and bicycles are being ridden too quickly in the garden, staff successfully engage them in solving the problem. Staff support children well and, when they decide to make traffic signals, help them to find suitable resources for the task. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and children who speak English as an additional language are supported extremely well. Staff use extremely effective teaching methods,

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who attend. This is outstanding

such as the use of sign language, pictures and visual prompts.

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outstanding

Children's well-being is promoted exceedingly well in the friendly and welcoming nursery. Children's moves to new rooms and to school are tailored to meet their individual needs and the needs of their parents. Children are, therefore, emotionally secure and adapt very well to the changes. Staff are extremely good role models and play alongside children, helping them to understand how to take turns and share. This helps children to form strong friendships with others and to quickly understand what acceptable behaviour is. Children are frequently praised for their efforts and achievements. This helps them to gain confidence and develop self-esteem. Children are provided with healthy, well-balanced diets and are successfully encouraged to use good hygiene routines. Their physical development is supported well, as they have regular access to the well-resourced, outdoor environments. Babies are extremely happy in the nursery, as staff are kind, caring and

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outstanding

respond superbly to their individual needs.

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provision is outstanding

The leadership and management team demonstrate an excellent understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It is evident that the well-qualified team are extremely committed to ensuring the best possible outcomes for all children. All staff have an exceptional understanding of the procedures to follow to protect children in their care. Rigorous recruitment, vetting and induction procedures are followed to ensure that staff are suitable for their roles. Monitoring of children's learning and development is accurate and precise. As a result, any gaps in learning can be identified and closed. The nursery effectively uses various methods to share information about children's progress. As a result, children's care, learning and development is complemented exceptionally well. The management are extremely proud of the excellent partnerships they have forged with parents. They value them as active partners and are keen to develop further inspirational

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provision is outstanding

ways of involving them in their children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY104025 Local authority Herefordshire Inspection number 848144 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 48 Number of children on roll 84 Name of provider Little Acorns Day Nursery Limited Date of previous inspection 3 August 2009 Telephone number 01981 250 714

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Setting details

Little Acorns Day Nursery Ltd was registered in 2002. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, 13 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including one with Early Years Professional status and one with Qualified Teacher Status. The nursery opens all year round from Monday to Friday. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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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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