Acorn At Cedars

Acorn At Cedars Cedars County Combined School, Bury Street, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, MK16 0DT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 June 2017 15 September 2016

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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 provide a wide range of experiences for children to develop their literacy skills. For example, babies access crayons and make marks. Older children sound out letters and practise writing their name.  Staff support children's healthy lifestyles well. For example, children of all ages learn the importance of handwashing before eating and enjoy a good range of well-balanced meals.  Staff communicate well with other early years settings that children attend, to help provide consistency in their care and learning.  Since the last inspection, the manager has made many improvements. For example, there are better systems for sharing information with parents, to keep them informed about their children's progress.  The management team monitors children's assessments and development accurately to promptly identify and support any gaps in learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff sometimes miss opportunities to extend older children's mathematical skills further, with particular regard to shape, space and measurement.  Staff do not always make the best use of children's everyday play, to encourage them to share their thoughts and predict what might happen next.

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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

 extend older children's mathematical development even further with more opportunities to learn about shape, space and measurement  make the best use of all routines and everyday play to encourage children to share their thoughts and begin to predict what might happen next.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's activities indoors and outdoors.  The inspector undertook a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector had discussions with the children, staff and the manager.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection and through written feedback.  The inspector looked at a range of relevant documentation relating to safeguarding and staff suitability, as well as policies, procedures and progress records.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager and staff keep up to date with relevant safeguarding procedures. They have a good understanding of what to do if they are concerned about a child's welfare. The manager supports staff well in their roles and responsibilities. For example, staff benefit from regular meetings to reflect on their practice and they constantly plan to ensure positive outcomes for each individual child. Staff make good use of advice and training to increase children's opportunities for sensory development. For example, all children enjoy feeling different textures and sensory resources with their hands and feet. The manager prioritises self-evaluation around children, parents and staff suggestions for future improvements.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children very well and use focused observations to plan for their next steps. They encourage parents to engage in their child's learning well, to help build consistency in children's development. For example, parents share ideas and resources that children enjoy at home. Staff provide plenty of opportunities to help children develop their imaginations. For example, children dress up as their favourite characters and pretend to make meals with real cooking utensils and vegetables. All children show a keen interest in early reading. For example, babies and younger children cuddle up to listen to stories and learn to turn pages in a book. Staff make good use of resources and change their tone of voice as they read stories to older children to engage them.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are welcoming and show kindness and patience towards the children and each other. They offer a stimulating and challenging environment for children. Children develop a good understanding of people's similarities and differences within the nursery and the wider world. Children are beginning to gain a good understanding of how to stay safe. For example, they talk about checking for broken toys and getting them 'fixed'. Staff have strong partnerships with other professionals involved in children's care and learning. They work together closely to help all children to make good progress, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff teach children to share and take turns. Children behave well.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress from their starting points and develop the necessary skills for the next stage in their learning and for school. They build good independence, for example, recognising when they are thirsty and pouring their own drinks. Children are motivated to learn and show confidence as they explore the wide variety of opportunities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY495445 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 1074401 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 - 4 Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Acorn Early Years Foundation

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 September 2016 Telephone number 01908 616139

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reference number

Acorn at Cedars re-registered in 2016. The nursery provides care between 7.30am and 6pm during weekdays, all year round. The nursery is in receipt of funding to provide free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. There are eight members of staff, seven of whom have relevant childcare qualifications to level 2 and above. The manager has a degree in early childhood studies.

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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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