Little Acorns

Little Acorns 55 Leicester Road, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 5EL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 February 2016 8 November 2010

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The pre-school is well led and managed. There is a strong team of adults, working effectively together to provide for the children's individual needs. They understand the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage well.  Staff are deployed effectively and work particularly well together, which means the organisation of the pre-school is good. They provide a relaxed, fun and homely environment, where children behave well and each child is respected and valued.  Relationships with parents are particularly strong. Parents speak highly of the setting, where they feel welcome, supported and informed about their children's progress and well-being.  The quality of teaching is good. Staff's assessments of children's progress are precise and effectively inform planning to offer children individualised learning experiences.  Staff interact enthusiastically with children and encourage them to follow their own

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This provision is good

ideas when playing. Children use their imagination in construction and role-play activities well.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Partnerships with the local school are not yet robust enough to consistently support all children with their move to full-time education, when the time comes.  Occasionally, some activities are not organised as effectively as possible to promote children's deepest levels of concentration.

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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

 develop the partnership working with the local schools that older children will attend, supporting their move on to full-time education  provide more opportunities to promote children's deeper levels of engagement and help them progress further in their learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning  The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, discussed self-evaluation and viewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff's knowledge in relation to safeguarding children is very secure. They are fully aware of the procedures for reporting concerns. The staff team works very well together and is keen to improve outcomes for children. Comprehensive policies and procedures are in place which underpin the practice of the setting and support the team to meet all statutory requirements. The manager works with her team to monitor the quality of the setting and the teaching. She assesses children's learning with staff to ensure they are making good progress and are challenged in their learning. The team works together to set high expectations for ongoing improvement and regular meetings are used to confirm that they are all working towards common goals.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children benefit from a stimulating, organised and well-resourced environment. They have access to a good range of play equipment, both inside and outdoors. Teaching is good. Children develop key skills. They learn to write their own names and recognise the sounds that letters make. As they play, they gain an early understanding of numbers, shapes, measures and quantity. Children's literacy development is well fostered. Children talk enthusiastically about stories and choose books to take home to share with their families. They learn about people and communities as they participate in festival related activities, such as Chinese New Year. Children's communication and language development is given high priority. All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, are supported thoroughly in developing their communication and language skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are well cared for in this calm, welcoming environment. They have developed strong, secure bonds with the staff, helping them feel safe. Staff value children's efforts and achievements and use praise effectively to reinforce positive behaviours. This enables children to develop positive self-esteem and confidence. Children learn to be independent and gain a sense of responsibility. They choose resources and toys, which they put away when they have finished with them. Children enjoy healthy snacks and the outdoor play area provides good opportunities for daily physical activities. Children enjoy making pretend potions in the mud kitchen. They confidently take care of their personal needs, such as washing their hands and pouring drinks.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress from their individual starting points. Children develop a positive attitude towards learning and are well prepared for the next stage of their learning and their eventual move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY314555 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 1024260 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 23 Name of provider Pauline Anne Congdon Date of previous inspection 8 November 2010 Telephone number 07931668499

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Setting details

Little Acorns was registered in 2005. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term times only. Sessions are from 9.15am to 12.15pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. The pre-school supports children who speak English as an additional language, disabled children and those with special educational needs.

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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

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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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