Acorn Grove Nursery

Acorn Grove Nursery Woodville Children's Centre, Shirley Road, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M8 0NE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 August 2017 6 May 2015

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 The manager does not effectively monitor the progress of children to swiftly identify and address the gaps in their learning.  The quality of teaching is weak. Staff do not ensure children have appropriate challenge in their learning. Staff are rigid in their approach and do not adapt activities to meet children's learning interests and needs.  The manager does not have a secure understanding of risks that may affect the safety and well-being of children, such as the use of technological devices and maintaining appropriate arrangements for children to sleep.  The arrangements for supervising, monitoring and coaching staff practice are not effective. The manager has not successfully addressed weaknesses in the quality of teaching, to help staff improve their skills and raise outcomes for children.  Partnerships with parents are not effectively maintained. The manager does not seek parents' views for ways to improve the nursery. Parents do not receive information

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This provision is inadequate

about their child's daily activities and how to support their child's learning at home.

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It has the following strengths

 Children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are identified quickly. Staff have built links with external agencies to help these children to receive the support they need.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and the Childcare Register the provider must:

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Due Date

 improve the systems for assessing children's progress to swiftly address any gaps in their learning in preparation for school 20/10/2017

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Due Date

 improve the quality of teaching and ensure learning experiences provide appropriate challenge to meet children's needs and interests 20/10/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that knowledge about risk assessments is secure and robust systems are implemented to assess and manage all risks and promote the safety and well-being of children 18/08/2017

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Due Date

 ensure appropriate and effective arrangements are in place for the supervision of staff and provide them with effective coaching and support to raise outcomes for children 20/10/2017

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Due Date

 improve partnership with parents and share quality information about children's daily activities and how to support children's learning at home. 29/09/2017

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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 spoke with staff and children during the inspection  The inspector completed joint observations with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation 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 inadequate

Since the last inspection, there have been significant staff changes. This has led to a negative impact on the overall quality of the provision. Safeguarding is ineffective. The manager and staff do not have a secure understanding of risk assessments. For example, the manager and staff do not know the risks of using technological devices. Furthermore, they have not identified the unhygienic equipment that children use to sleep or rest, and the health risks this poses. However, the provider follows secure recruitment procedures, checks proof of identity and carries out suitability checks. The manager and staff know how to identify and report concerns about a child's welfare. There has been some recent training to help to develop staff's skills in supporting children's speech and language. However, this is not yet embedded in practice to demonstrate a positive impact on outcomes for children. Furthermore, the arrangements for supervision of staff practice are

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

ineffective. The manager has failed to recognise weaknesses in staff's skills and does not help them to improve the quality of teaching. Consequently, children do not make good progress in their learning. The manager does not monitor children's progress closely and children's initial assessments on entry are not clear. Assessment and planning procedures are not effective to ensure that children make good progress from the time they start. The manager has some action plans in place to identify areas to improve. She has started to work closely with external agencies and professionals to improve the quality of the nursery.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

The quality of teaching and learning is weak. Staff do not provide adequate challenge in children's learning. For example, staff do not encourage children's problem-solving skills during an activity when a car becomes stuck in a pipe. Activities are mostly adult-led and children's choices are not sufficiently considered. For example, staff do not effectively adapt activities to meet children's learning needs. Children have some opportunities for counting. For example, they count items together with staff. Staff assessments of children's progress are not used effectively to close the gaps in their learning before they start school.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Children's safety and well-being are compromised by the weaknesses in the leadership and management of the setting. For example, there are unhygienic arrangements for children who need to rest or sleep. However, children build positive relationships with some staff who are caring towards them. Generally, children behave well and follow staff instructions. There have been recent changes to the nappy changing routines to ensure these are regular. Children enjoy playing outdoors. They practise their balance and coordination skills using wooden beams, tyres and crates.

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Outcomes for children are inadequate

Children do not make good enough progress in their learning due to the weaknesses in teaching and monitoring. For instance, most children do not gain some of the important skills they need to prepare them for school. Children do not make enough progress in their personal, social and emotional development to their speaking skills. Children enjoy regular opportunities for outdoor play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY280214 Local authority Manchester Inspection number 1091900 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 - 5 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 11 Name of registered person Pre-School Learning Alliance

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 6 May 2015 Telephone number 0161 740 5687

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reference number

Acorn Grove Nursery registered in 2005 and is operated by the Pre-School Learning Alliance. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and level 3, including the manager who holds an early years degree. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8.30am until 5pm. 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

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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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