Croston Acorns Nursery and Pre School

Croston Acorns Nursery and Pre School Dob Bridge Cottage, Brick Croft Lane, Croston, LEYLAND, PR26 9AA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 November 2016 11 January 2013

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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

 Leaders and staff are committed to supporting the welfare of children. Staff demonstrate some outstanding elements that contribute highly to children's well-being.  The dedicated staff team provides a nurturing, home-from-home environment for children. They respect and value every child's contribution, which helps to encourage them to be confident in their own abilities.  There is a strong emphasis placed on preparing children well for their future learning and move on to school. Staff are extremely dedicated in helping them to become familiar with the changes before they happen.  Partnerships with parents and other professionals are very good. Important information is shared successfully between all those involved with children. This helps to foster a consistent approach to their development.  Leaders monitor the quality of staff's teaching regularly and they are supported well with supervision and their continued professional development. Knowledge from

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This provision is good

training is shared with the staff team. This impacts directly on learning for different groups of children. For example, boys are supported to enhance their good attention skills.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not make full use of opportunities for children to develop their early writing skills.  On occasions, staff do not make full use of opportunities that encourage children to think and express their thoughts and ideas.

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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

 increase opportunities for children to build on and further extend their good writing skills  enhance teaching that further develops children's good thinking skills to an even higher level.

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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 provider.  The inspector held a meeting with the provider. 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 some 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 have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and how to report their concerns. The manager has effective systems in place to check the ongoing suitability of staff. She has a clear vision for ongoing improvement. For example, the nursery is close to completing a quality award. The views of staff, parents and children are regularly sought and acted upon to help improve the services provided. For example, the nursery now opens fifteen minutes earlier to better accommodate the needs of the local families. The manager and staff team closely monitor individual and groups of children's progress well. Any gaps in learning are quickly identified and strategies are put in place to make sure that these close quickly.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The highly qualified staff team uses information gained from their observations and assessments of children's learning well. Overall, they plan activities and experiences that are stimulating and exciting. For example, children enjoy searching for a character from a favourite book during outdoor play. They use their imaginations well and look under log piles for snakes. Children pretend to make tea and stir ingredients in a large pan. Staff encourage children to remember what the creature looks like. This helps support their good recall skills. Children practise their physical skills and march around looking for the imaginary creature. They chant, 'Where is it?' over and over. They are motivated and keen to learn. Staff teach children to manage their own risks, such as to carefully climb up steps, to help keep themselves safe.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are very happy and settled and behave well. They explore and choose from the very good range of resources available, both inside and outdoors. Parents rate the nursery highly and feel children are privileged to attend such a caring setting. Children acquire a firm sense of belonging. They establish fond friendships with their peers and strong bonds with staff. Children develop good social values, such as respect for others. The nursery uses the local amenities well. Regular walks, visits to shops and community events engage children with a wide variety of people. For example, children help create a Remembrance wreath to place at the war memorial. They learn about why poppies are worn and gain an understanding of how we pay tribute to others.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children develop good self-care skills, such as putting on their own shoes and coats. They practise their independence skills. For example, younger children pour milk into cups carefully. Older children enjoy being chosen as 'Dinner Diamonds' at mealtimes. They help set the table and serve healthy food, such as chicken casserole, to their peers. All children sit and engage in meaningful conversations with each other and staff. Children talk about what foods are healthy. For example, they tell staff that they can use their muscles to help mash up their potato. Children develop good mathematical skills. For example, they identify numbers frozen in ice. Children pour warm water on top and discover how ice melts. They are well prepared for the next stage in learning and eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY449320 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 1066031 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 49 Number of children on roll 57 Name of registered person Croston Acorns Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 11 January 2013 Telephone number 01772 601074

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reference number

Croston Acorns Nursery and Pre School was registered in 2012. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. Two members of childcare staff have a foundation degree in early years and two have a BA (Honours) Degree in Early Years and Childhood Studies. The nursery opens all year round from 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery supports children who have special educational needs or disabilities.

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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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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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