Little Acorns Nursery

Little Acorns Nursery Church Street, Littledean, Cinderford, Gloucestershire, GL14 3NL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 January 2016 5 July 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

 Staff are knowledgeable and have a good understanding about how children learn. They complete detailed observations and assessments of children, to plan challenging activities that are based on children's interests and individual needs. Children make good progress in their learning, relative to their starting points.  Children are confident and happy, and new children settle very quickly into the setting. Each child's key person provides good support for children when needed. Children have close attachments with the adults.  Staff are good role models. They use praise and encouragement with children, which help to promote children's good behaviour.  Resources are arranged in a way that encourages children to make choices and helps develop their independence.  The manager and staff have very good partnerships with parents, carers and other early years professionals. Regular information is shared with them to support children's

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This provision is good

learning and development. Parents speak highly about the high quality care and information that staff provide.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, staff do not fully explain to children about why they need to do something, such as tidy the toys away or wash their hands after being outside.  Staff do not always gather enough information from every parent about what their child can already do before they start at the setting.

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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

 help children to understand the reasons why they need to do something, to reinforce their personal development and welfare  improve how information is gathered from parents about their children when they first attend, so staff are fully aware of what children can already do before they start at the setting.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and staff interactions with children in the main play room and in the outside learning environment.  The inspector checked the evidence of suitability and qualifications of staff working with children, the provider's self-evaluation and improvement plan.  The inspector had discussions with the manager, chairperson and the children.  The inspector took into account the views of parents and carers spoken to on the day.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's records, safeguarding procedures, risk assessments, attendance registers, and policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The committee and staff have a good understanding of their responsibility to meet the requirements. They implement safeguarding procedures effectively, which include safe recruitment processes. Staff are clear about the procedures to follow should they have any child protection concerns. Staff make good use of their training and qualifications to maintain teaching at a consistently good standard. The manager and staff use additional funding for children effectively, to help ensure good learning outcomes for all children. They make a clear, detailed evaluation of practice, to identify strengths and any areas for development and set clear targets for improvement.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of teaching is consistently good. Staff observe children closely, to assess their needs and interests and to inform their planning for each child. They provide children with a broad range of interesting and challenging experiences that keep children motivated and eager to learn. Staff promote children's communication and language skills effectively. For example, they talk to children constantly. They skilfully question and listen to children, and they give them time to respond. Children enjoy playing outside and experiencing the changing seasons. They also learn to look after their own needs. For example, children understand that when playing outside in the rain, they need to wear waterproofs. Children develop good physical skills and learn about the world around them through a variety of interesting experiences. For example, they enjoy digging in the soil and making a small garden in a tray. Staff encourage children to make choices, for example, about which

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

plants, stones and shells to use in their garden.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children show they feel safe and secure at the setting. Key persons offer each child reassurance and respond to their needs in a calm and caring manner. Staff praise and encourage children as they interact with them. This helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem. Children behave well. Clear explanations from staff help children learn to share and take turns. They also learn to be considerate and to have respect for the views of others. Children develop their independence skills well through opportunities to do simple tasks for themselves. For example, they enjoy snack time where they are able to butter their own crackers, select their fruit and pour their own drinks. Older children help the younger children to pour drinks with no prompting from staff. Children understand the routines of the setting well and are enthusiastic about joining in with them. For example, they enjoy washing up their own cups and plates after they finish their snacks.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning and development. They are confident, motivated, and eager to learn. Staff prepare children well for their next stages in their learning, such as their move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 101907 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 824677 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 3 - 4 Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 18 Name of provider Little Acorns Nursery Committee Date of previous inspection 5 July 2010 Telephone number 01594 822 171

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Setting details

Little Acorns Nursery registered in 2000. It is operates from, and has close links with, Littledean Primary School, in the Forest of Dean. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, term time only, from 8.45am to 11.45am. The nursery accepts children aged between three and four years. The setting receives early education funding and early years pupil premium funding. There is a team of three staff. One member of staff has Qualified Teacher Status, one has achieved an early years teacher qualification and the other member of staff is qualified at level 3.

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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

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