Little Acorns (North East) Ltd.

Little Acorns (North East) Ltd. Little Acorns Day Nursery, 218 Park Road, STANLEY, County Durham, DH9 7AN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 March 2017 18 March 2014

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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 have a good understanding of how children learn. They plan appealing activities that are appropriately challenging and support children's continued development.  Staff check children's progress well. Staff use their findings to focus their teaching to help to meet the individual learning needs of children. This supports children to make good progress in all areas of development.  Staff identify children who are slower to develop key skills. They plan activities that focus on children's individual needs and help them to catch up in their learning.  Children are happy and confident. Children develop self-esteem and pride in their achievements. This helps to support children's emotional well-being effectively.  Parents are happy with the care and learning experiences that staff provide, and they commend staff for their friendliness and flexibility. Parents feel involved in nursery life and enjoy visits to take part in activities alongside their children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, children are not supported to continue with their good learning when they become engrossed in activities of their choosing. Their play is sometimes interrupted by routines or other directions given by staff.  Although children are developing good concentration skills and pay attention to staff, they often speak over each other at group times and do not always listen to the ideas and comments from other children.

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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

 ensure children have plenty of time and opportunities to lead their own play to support their learning even more effectively  promote children's communication skills even more effectively, and encourage children to value the contributions made by their peers and to listen to the opinions and views of others, particularly during group activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the premises.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching 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 and evidence of the suitability checks carried out on staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. She also spoke with staff and children during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager has good systems in place to support and supervise the staff team. She encourages staff to build on their skills, knowledge and qualifications. Staff have developed effective partnerships with other professionals and settings that children attend. This helps to provide a consistent approach to children's care, learning and development. The manager reviews all aspects of practice effectively alongside staff, parents and children to identify areas for improvement. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff understand their responsibility to keep children safe from harm and know what to do if they have a concern about a child's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff regularly observe children at play to identify their strengths and interests. They use their findings well to help them to plan activities that engage children effectively and support them to build on what they already know and can do. Staff make good use of their local community when planning for children's learning. For example, children visit the local police station and collect twigs and leaves during a nearby nature walk. This helps children to develop an understanding of the world. Babies' creative skills are promoted effectively. They enjoy making music with a range of instruments and explore paint using their whole bodies. Staff teach children about volume and capacity as they play in the water tray. This promotes children's mathematical development.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are attentive and children develop bonds with them. This contributes to the sense of belonging and security children demonstrate. Children benefit from exercise as they take part in active play in 'The Den', such as ring games, climbing and running. Staff teach children about the effects of exercise on their bodies, and they weave messages about healthy lifestyles into general activities throughout the day. Staff have a fair and calm approach to managing children's behaviour and work closely with parents to provide consistent boundaries. Children learn what is expected of them and behave well. Staff support children effectively to develop independence. For example, children enjoy the responsibility of serving their own meals and clearing away after activities.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make steady progress in their learning, and most achieve levels of development typical for their age. Children learn key skills in literacy and mathematics that prepare them for later learning in school. Children begin to develop friendships and cooperate as they play. For example, they share ideas as they create structures in the construction area. Children have plenty of opportunities to solve problems as they play. For example, they experimented with different ways to free a car that became trapped in a tube.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY103722 Local authority Durham Inspection number 1087859 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 9 Total number of places 104 Number of children on roll 69 Name of registered person Little Acorns (North East) Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 18 March 2014 Telephone number 01207 438755

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reference number

Little Acorns (North East) Ltd registered in 2000. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with qualified teacher status. The nursery is open from 7.30am until 6pm on Monday to Thursday and from 7.30am until 5.30pm on Friday. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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

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reference number

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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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