Little Acorns Nursery

Little Acorns Nursery Vernon Road, Worsbrough, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 5HJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 May 2017 28 May 2014

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The monitoring of staff teaching practice is not robust enough and the quality of teaching is variable. The well-qualified staff do not make the best use of their skills. This means that children are not always sufficiently challenged in their learning and development.  Staff do not ensure that all parents are kept up to date about their children’s progress. This means that some parents are not fully informed of their children’s learning and development and how they can support their children’s learning at home.  The managers are not taking sufficient steps to evaluate the quality of the provision to maintain the previously good practice.

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It has the following strengths

 Children’s warm interactions with staff show that they have a close bond with them. Children are settled, happy and enjoy their time in the setting.  Relevant information is exchanged in a timely manner with other early years settings and outside agencies. This helps to ensure that additional support is sought for parents and their children where needed.

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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

 provide effective supervision, coaching and training for staff and improve the quality of teaching so that children are consistently challenged in their learning 23/05/2017

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Due Date

 ensure all staff make effective use of their teaching skills to plan challenging activities that help children at all levels to make good progress. 23/05/2017

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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

 help staff share more information with parents about their child's progress and how they can support their learning at home  develop the systems for evaluating all aspects of practice and identify weaknesses and areas for development, in order to drive forward improvements.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  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 and deputy manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's accident record, risk assessments and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The manager has evaluated staff practice and taken some steps to aid improvement. However, she has not been swift enough to identify all weaknesses in practice. Therefore some practice is not good enough. Staff make sure the environment is secure. This helps to prevent anyone entering or leaving unnoticed. The robust recruitment procedure helps to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Accidents, including those without sign of injury, are clearly recorded and shared with parents. All staff have a sound understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect. They are confident to implement child protection procedures should they feel children are at risk of abuse or neglect.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Staff assess children's progress accurately and use the information to plan activities and play opportunities that children are interested in. However, they do not use their teaching skills consistently enough to challenge children or ensure that they are sufficiently engaged. This means that children do not move forward quickly enough in their learning. Children are often encouraged to join in group activities and some children relish these opportunities. However, staff do not organise group times well enough to help all children concentrate and take part. Older children name vegetables as they help to prepare them for making soup. They count confidently and recognise who has the most pieces. However, some of the younger children lose interest because the task takes too long.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Although some parents receive guidance of how to continue with their children's learning at home, staff do not keep all parents up to date with their children's progress and development. Nevertheless, a key person is allocated to children before their placement begins. They work closely with parents to gather information about their children's skills, care needs and home routines. The progress check for children aged between two and three years is completed and shared with parents and health visitors. There is an appropriate selection of resources and activities available for children's ages and stages of development. Children are supported to lead a healthy lifestyle. They are provided healthy meals and encouraged to be physically active.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Weaknesses in teaching mean that children do not make good enough progress in their learning. Despite this, children are developing the basic skills they need for school. Children are very independent, confident and are able to communicate their needs. They play well together and their behaviour is good.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 302875 Local authority Barnsley Inspection number 1098005 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 2 - 4 Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Ward Green Pre School Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 28 May 2014 Telephone number 01226 248123

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reference number

Little Acorns Nursery registered in 1993 and employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including three with early years professional status or qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. 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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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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