Acorns Pre-School

Acorns Pre-School Scout Hall, Waterson Road, Chadwell St Mary, Grays, Essex, RM16 4NX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 September 2017 Not applicable

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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 are happy and settled in this warm and welcoming pre-school. Staff are very caring towards the children. They build strong emotional attachments to the staff.  Partnerships with parents and carers are a key strength. Staff demonstrate that they value them as partners and place high priority on working closely with all parents. Successful links with the local schools and other agencies support children to be confident and make consistent progress in their learning.  Older and younger children engage in play and learn alongside each other. Staff take account of children's different ages and abilities when they plan activities. They adapt each activity effectively to enable all children to enjoy good-quality opportunities to learn.  Staff know the children very well. They talk confidently about where children are in their learning and what they need to do to support their continuing progress.

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This provision is good

 Staff work effectively as a team indoors and outside, ensuring children's safety and supporting them in their play and learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Systems for monitoring the progress that different groups of children make have not been fully implemented.  The outdoor environment is not always fully used to build on the learning experiences for those children who prefer to play and learn outdoors.

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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

 build on the current tracking of children's progress to provide an even sharper focus on how well different groups of children are achieving and checking that all groups receive the support they need to help them achieve at the highest possible levels  make better use of the outdoor environment to support the continuing good progress of children who prefer to play and learn outside.

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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 to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the safeguarding policy and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. She discussed the pre-school's self-evaluation.  The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff have a secure knowledge of how to keep children safe and the process to follow should they need to report any child protection concerns. They promote children's safety successfully. The pre-school is well maintained and risk assessments are in place. Ongoing training and staff development are valued. Regular supervisions and team meetings are used well to enhance staff interactions with children. The manager and her committed staff team demonstrate an ability to reflect on the pre-school and identify areas for improvement. The views of the parents are regularly sought and feedback provided is taken into account when developing the provision. Parents speak highly of the staff team, describing them as friendly, caring and very approachable.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Attentive staff engage in meaningful conversations with children, extending their vocabulary and supporting correct pronunciation. Staff and children take pleasure as they engage in make-believe play, sharing their imagination and listening well to each other's ideas. Older children speak confidently in large-group situations. Staff make accurate assessments of children's learning as they play. They share their progress with parents and include them in their children's learning. Children are motivated, eager to learn and fully engaged, demonstrating high levels of perseverance and concentration. For example, children show control and good coordination as they spread glue across paper and stick a range of autumnal leaves to create their own individual design.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children, parents and carers receive a warm welcome when they arrive at the pre-school. Staff are very good role models and behaviour across the pre-school is good. Staff use consistent ground rules effectively to help children understand what is expected of them. They give children meaningful praise for good behaviour and individual efforts, which helps to build children's self-esteem. Children develop a good sense of belonging and readily follow the established routines. They are supported well to understand the importance of good personal hygiene and learn about healthy food choices. Staff provide children with a wide range of nutritious snacks. Children are developing high levels of independence and even younger children understand the routine for clearing away their plates after snack.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those for whom the pre-school receives additional funding, make good progress from their starting points. Children of all ages are enthusiastic and motivated learners and spend sustained periods of time engaged in their play. They readily select from the activities provided for them and lead their own play. They receive encouragement to count, both in play and routine situations, such as counting the number of chairs needed for the children present. Children are developing the key skills needed in readiness for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY492207 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 1022553 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Julie Elizabeth Storr

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07952515773

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reference number

Acorns Pre-School registered in 2015. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, 9am until 3.30pm during term time only. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff, of whom five hold early years qualifications at level 3 or above.

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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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