Little Acorns Pre-School

Little Acorns Pre-School S S Puma, Church Road, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 7NH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 May 2016 23 November 2012

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision is inadequate

 The provider does not implement effective recruitment and vetting procedures to check the suitability of staff. Staff do not know their responsibility to notify the provider of any changes that may affect their suitability to work with children. This compromises children's safety and welfare.  The provider does not ensure the safety of the children at all times, particularly when they use the toilet areas where the water is extremely hot.  The provider does not keep an accurate record of children's attendance to promote their safety and well-being.  The provider was not able to produce a valid insurance certificate. This was an action at the last inspection and has not been addressed.  Staff do not carry out the required progress check for all children when they are between two and three years of age, and share their progress with parents.  Staff do not consistently gather information from all parents about their children's

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This provision is inadequate

abilities when they first start, to provide consistency in their learning and help them settle, particularly children who are learning English as an additional language.  Self-evaluation is not effective in identifying breaches in requirements that have an impact on children's welfare and safety.

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It has the following strengths

 Children form secure attachments with staff. They play nicely with other children.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure effective recruitment systems are in place to assess the suitability of staff to work with children, including carrying out identity checks and implementing suitable vetting procedures 26/05/2016

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Due Date

 take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children, with particular regard to the hot water in the toilet areas 26/05/2016

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Due Date

 ensure staff know they are expected to disclose any changes of circumstances that may affect their suitability to work with children, including by disqualification 26/05/2016

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Due Date

 ensure an accurate daily record of the children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance is maintained 26/05/2016

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Due Date

 ensure that records are easily accessible and available for inspection, specifically valid public liability insurance 26/05/2016

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Due Date

 review the progress of all children aged between two and three years and ensure parents are provided with a written summary of their children's progress in the prime areas of learning. 26/05/2016

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Due Date

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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Due Date

 improve partnerships with parents to find out about children's abilities when they first start, to help inform planning from the outset and to help children settle well, particularly children who are learning English as an additional language  make effective use of self-evaluation to identify breaches in requirements and improve the quality of provision for children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and its impact on children's learning.  The inspector held meetings with the pre-school managers.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as safeguarding, children's records and evidence of staff suitability to work with children.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is ineffective. The provider relies on word of mouth to recruit staff and does not carry out thorough vetting checks, such as obtaining references to help determine their suitability. The provider does not ensure that staff know that they must disclose any changes that may affect their suitability to work with children. The provider fails to maintain an accurate record of children's attendance and is unable to provide a valid insurance certificate. These failures compromise children's welfare. Staff understand child protection policies and procedures and know how to manage safeguarding concerns. There are some systems in place to support staff's professional development. For example, staff have access to ongoing training and supervision opportunities, although these have not had a significant impact on improving outcomes for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Staff regularly monitor children's progress and plan for the next steps in their development. However, they do not complete the progress checks for all children between the age of two and three years and provide parents with a written summary of their progress, to monitor any gaps in development quickly. Staff do not always find out from parents about children's abilities before they start, to help plan from the outset. All children engage in group time sessions which focus on supporting their communication skills. Staff make the most of these opportunities to promote and develop children's confidence and speaking skills. For example, staff ask questions and use props to develop and extend children's language. Staff give children time to think and respond to one question before moving on to another.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

The provider does not ensure the safety of children when they use the toilet areas as the hot water is scalding. Although staff state that they supervise the children, during the inspection children entered these areas unsupervised. Children form positive relationships with their key person. However, staff do not always work closely with the parents of children who are learning English as an additional language, to help them settle quickly. Staff manage minor disputes to help children understand how to behave appropriately. Children have daily opportunities to play in the outdoor area.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Most children make adequate progress in their learning. However, as staff do not monitor the attainment of all groups of children, this does not enable all children to make the best possible progress. Children develop basic skills to help them when they start school. For example, while using the till in the role play shop, they learn that money has value.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY409686 Local authority Sutton Inspection number 1028218 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 22 Number of children on roll 25 Name of provider Roslyn Deborah Turrell Date of previous inspection 23 November 2012 Telephone number 0208 6698219

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Setting details

Little Acorns Pre-School was registered in 2010. It is privately owned and operates from the Sea Cadets' Unit which is based in Beddington Park in Wallington, Surrey. The pre- school runs from 9.30am to 12.30pm Monday to Friday. The setting operates a lunchtime club on Wednesday and Friday between the hours of 12.30pm and 2.30pm and on Tuesday and Thursday between the hours of 12.20pm and 1.30pm. The provider is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education to children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs six members of staff, of whom five hold relevant childcare qualifications.

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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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