Acorn Childcare Nursery

Acorn Childcare Nursery Off Greenbank Lane, Hartford, Cheshire, CW8 1JJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 August 2017 8 January 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

 Leaders and staff are passionate about developing the nursery. They have a range of strategies in place to take account of the views of parents, staff and children. Leaders set ambitious targets to help to improve the overall quality of the nursery.  The quality of teaching is good. Staff know individual children's needs and interests and plan activities to promote children's development in all areas. They interact skilfully with children to help build on what the children already know and can do. Children make good progress in their learning.  Staff know children well and develop close, nurturing relationships with them. Children who are new to the setting are well supported as they bond with their key person. Interactions between staff and babies are sensitive, warm and affectionate. Children feel safe and secure at the nursery.  There is a well established and effective working partnership with parents. Staff

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This provision is good

regularly consult with parents and gather information about what children have achieved or engaged in at home. They make good use of this information to support children's ongoing progress and development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Procedures to observe, develop and enhance the quality and impact of staff practice are not focused sharply enough on improving the overall quality of teaching.  Sometimes, children's engagement and concentration is not fostered effectively during routines and group activities.

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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

 continue to develop the procedures for monitoring staff practice and supporting them to enhance the overall quality of teaching  ensure that routines and group activities promote children's focus and engagement to the highest possible level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the areas of the premises used for childcare purposes.  The inspector met with the leadership team. She discussed and reviewed relevant documentation including the nursery's self-evaluation form, action plans and evidence of staff suitability.  The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She observed activities in the indoor and outdoor areas in order to assess the impact these have on children's learning.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector met with parents and reviewed their written feedback in order to take account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Leaders and staff have a good understanding of safeguarding and wider child protection issues. They demonstrate the ability to identify and report concerns relating to a child's welfare or the conduct of an adult. The staff team is well established, as most are long standing team members. They are suitably qualified and have opportunities for ongoing professional development, which helps to refresh and extend their existing skills. Staff also benefit from supervision sessions and staff meetings to share information and ideas for practice. Parents praise the nursery staff for the help and support provided to their children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff make good use of observation and assessment to identify children's current stage of development. Their planning reflects children's individual needs and interests. Babies thoroughly enjoy exploring with all their senses as they mix sand, cooked pasta and shredded paper. Younger children get very excited when they go outdoors to find their favourite teddy bears hiding in the garden, as staff help them to recall a favourite story. Older children's early literacy and mathematics skills are well supported. They develop an understanding of rhyme and phonic sounds, for example, as staff read children their favourite stories. Children contribute and anticipate what happens next. They extend this activity into the outdoor area. Children search for the insects from the story and create a tally chart to help them to count the number of insects they find.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children learn to take turns and manage their own feelings and emotions. Staff use a range of strategies to help children develop good social relationships with their peers. Staff also provide a range of activities and experiences to help to learn about children's individual cultures, languages and backgrounds. Children follow instructions that help to keep them safe. They show a good understanding of how to use equipment safely. The outdoor provision provides many opportunities for children to explore risk taking, in a safe and well-managed environment. Staff provide an interesting range of resources in both the indoor and outdoor areas. Children engage in regular physical exercise and are provided with healthy, nutritionally balanced meals.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their individual starting points. They demonstrate a range of skills which prepares them well for their next stage of learning, or the move on to school. Older children, for example, develop good social and communication skills. Staff help them to learn more about the world around them. Children become independent. For example, they have regular opportunities to put on their coats and shoes or assist staff with daily routines. Children who require extra support are identified quickly and effective interventions are used to help them catch up with their peers.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY280796 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 1087930 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 - 6 Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 90 Name of registered person Acorn Childcare Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 8 January 2014 Telephone number 01606 77877

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reference number

Acorn Childcare Nursery registered in 2004. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above or are working towards them. Two members of staff hold early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks per year, excluding bank holidays. Sessions are from 7am 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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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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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