Little Acorns Day Nursery

Little Acorns Day Nursery The Elim Family Centre, Hartfield Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 2ET

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31 May 2017 8 October 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

 Children play in a well-thought-out and stimulating learning environment where they easily choose from a wide range of resources and activities. Staff make creative use of the available outdoor space and children are excited and keen to go outside.  Staff have warm, caring bonds with children. They are sensitive to children's individual needs and support their emotional well-being effectively.  The manager and staff keep parents well informed. Staff involve them effectively in their children's learning in different ways. For instance, they offer activity packs for parents to take home.  Staff plan activities based on a good knowledge of children's interests and abilities. They encourage children to develop their ideas and explore. Children make good progress in their learning.  The manager reflects well on the quality of the nursery. She makes good use of feedback from staff, parents and children and develops teaching practice to benefit

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The current system for assessing children's individual progress does not enable the manager and staff to gain a precise awareness of the ongoing progress different groups of children make to identify any common learning gaps and help them catch up quickly.  On occasion, staff do not plan group activities effectively. Children wait long periods for a short turn on the equipment.

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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

 refine the tracking of children's progress to monitor precisely and support different groups of children to identify any common gaps in their learning and ensure they continue to make good progress  review the planning of group activities to help ensure children are consistently engaged during these sessions.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors.  The inspector had discussions with the manager and members of staff about their practice and children's learning and development.  The inspector sampled documentation, including staff suitability checks, the nursery's self-evaluation and children's development records.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager carries out thorough procedures to make sure staff are suitable and remain suitable to work with children. Staff understand how to recognise and report any child protection concerns. The manager monitors staff performance closely, for example, by meeting them individually and observing them to evaluate their practice. Staff benefit from professional development opportunities that help them improve the quality of teaching. For instance, recent training helped them introduce new challenges to further support children's physical skills. Partnerships with other settings children attend are effective. For instance, the nursery shares a communication book to help ensure a shared approach to children's learning and care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff observe children and monitor their development to help identify any areas where they are doing well or need more support. They encourage children's communication skills well. For instance, toddlers learn new words when they join in favourite songs and older children enjoy lunchtime conversations. Staff give children time to explore materials fully and build on their ideas. For instance, children were delighted to mix potions from a range of ingredients, adding things they had chosen. Staff follow children's interests well; for instance, children have developed the superhero role-play area over several weeks. Children thoroughly enjoy new challenges in the outdoor area, such as making their own wall with bricks, sand and water, and planting in the new allotment.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff act as good role models for children, offering them consistent guidance and support. Babies settle quickly and build trusting relationships with staff. Children behave well and learn to treat one another with respect, for instance, they share their home languages and traditions. Staff deploy themselves well to supervise children closely, such as to accompany children to the toilets when needed. Staff check the premises thoroughly and help children learn to keep safe and secure. Children eat nutritious food and have daily opportunities to be active. They enjoy practising their physical skills, such as using the new climbing equipment and learning to balance carefully over obstacles.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are confident, independent and motivated to learn. They are confident communicators and develop strong social skills. Older children enjoy taking responsibility for small tasks, such as helping to prepare fruit for their friends and pouring their own drinks. Babies enjoy using their senses while exploring and toddlers learn to take turns with their friends. Children concentrate well and become engrossed in their play. They quickly gain the skills they need for their future learning and for the move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY373498 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 1062164 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 70 Number of children on roll 135 Name of registered person Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 8 October 2013 Telephone number 01323 731843

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reference number

Little Acorns Day Nursery registered in 2008. It operates from within Elim Family Centre in Eastbourne, East Sussex. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6pm for 51 weeks a year. It receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 14 staff; of these, 13 have relevant childcare qualifications at level 2, 3 or 4.

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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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