Little Oaks Nursery (Acomb) Ltd

Little Oaks Nursery (Acomb) Ltd Acomb First School, Bishops Hill, Acomb, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 4PL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 May 2016 16 January 2009

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Leadership is exceptional. The manager ensures that all staff provide consistently high- quality teaching and learning for all children. Systems for self-evaluation are highly reflective and the drive for improvement is uncompromising.  Parents are unanimous in their praise for the nursery. They are fully involved in their children's education. They have access to the learning journals on a daily basis and are encouraged to make their contributions. The staff organise workshops for parents and this helps them contribute to their children's learning.  The staff are very well qualified, with a passion for outdoor learning. Children have a wonderful time in this fun filled and well-resourced learning environment. They enthusiastically participate in lots of innovative and expertly planned experiences that provide them with an excellent foundation on which to build their future learning.  All children are highly supported to reach their potential. Assessments of children are

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This provision is outstanding

clear, precise and sharply focused, helping to ensure accurate planning for their next steps in learning.  Arrangements for supporting individual children are exemplary. Staff monitor children very closely so that any intervention is made in a timely fashion and children receive any additional support they may need.  The staff are resolute in pursuit of the best for the children and provide excellent care, guidance and support for them. They are exceptionally vigilant to ensure children's safety, supported by comprehensive risk assessment of possible dangers, which enables children the joy of exploring the Forest School safely.

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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

 continue to building on the already excellent partnerships with other schools.

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Inspection activities

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

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangement for safeguarding are effective. Staff are vigilant about children's welfare and safety and ensure safeguarding practice is of the highest level. Rigorous recruitment procedures are in place. A thorough induction programme provides excellent support, encourages teamwork and sets the very high standards. Performance management is supportive and makes a significant contribution to the excellence of teaching. The leadership is extremely influential. The whole staff team is dedicated to providing high- quality care and education. Their expertise is shared throughout the nursery and with the host school staff, so all children receive a high-quality learning experience that meets their needs very well. The manager already has plans in place to build on the already excellent partnerships with other schools.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The dynamic staff team has an excellent understanding of how children learn and teaching is completely centred on the needs of each individual child. Every opportunity is taken to develop skills practically, for example children find old pottery and discover how the pieces fit together. Staff are highly skilled in getting children to be inquisitive and ask questions about the world around them. For example, when milk is spilt children are encouraged to watch how it flows downhill. Children's enthusiasm is harnessed by staff who encourage them to experiment to see which objects will float in the milk, and what they can use to redirect its flow. Staff introduce new vocabulary such as tributary and provide an explanation to help widen children's understanding of its meaning. Children's early reading and mathematical skills are actively promoted. For example, staff support them to read clues they find on trees, they make letters and words from natural objects. Staff ask

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

children to find five sticks as long as their arm and three as long as their hand.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children receive exceptionally warm and responsive care. They gain high levels of confidence working and playing on their own or alongside others. For example, two children work out that by holding each end of the log they are able to carry it with ease. Children's behaviour is excellent. Staff skilfully provide children with the language they need to negotiate with others and assist them with managing their feelings and behaviour. Children ably learn to take small risks and work out how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, they are very aware of the principles of fire and the rules set. They know that they do not go near to the fire pit. Children relish their time outdoors and understand the importance and benefits of fresh air and physical exercise.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children make outstanding progress. They are extremely enthusiastic and resourceful learners. Children listen very attentively, follow instructions carefully and demonstrate strong skills in perseverance. They gain great confidence in speaking and show high levels of confidence in using their knowledge of letters, sounds and numbers in their play. Equally children make extremely good progress in developing self-care skills. They are extremely well prepared for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY254336 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 848382 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 - 8 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person Little Oaks (Acomb) Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 16 January 2009 Telephone number 01434 613 422

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reference number

Little Oaks Nursery (Acomb) Ltd was registered in 2003. The nursery employs five members of staff. Of these, four hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The manager holds early years professional status. The nursery is open five days a week from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Thursday, and on Friday 9am to midday. The breakfast club is open five days from 8am to 9am. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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