Thorn Grove Little Acorns Limited

Thorn Grove Little Acorns Limited Thorn Grove Primary School, Thorn Grove, Bishops Stortford, CM23 5LD

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 January 2018 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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 Excellent procedures are in place to help children settle quickly and confidently. Children receive booklets containing photographs of staff and the setting. This helps them to become familiar with the staff and the setting before they start.  Staff are sensitive and caring. They support children to gain high levels of self-esteem through consistent and descriptive praise and reassurance. Children are emotionally very well prepared for the next stage in their learning.  Children are exceptionally self-assured as they socialise with their peers. They develop a very positive sense of themselves and their place in the world.  Staff observe carefully, question capably and listen perceptively to children during activities. They give children explanations that help to improve their learning.  The provider is ambitious and communicates her expectations to staff. Self-evaluation includes the views of parents, children and staff. Actions taken by the management

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This provision is good

team to improve the quality of provision are planned carefully.  Parents speak very highly of the staff and opportunities their children enjoy.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasions, staff do not plan activities well enough so that learning opportunities offer even more challenge for the youngest children.  Staff's professional development is not always sharply focused on building specific skills to raise the quality of teaching even higher.

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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

 review planned activities for younger children to further support their learning at the highest level  enhance the use of continuous professional development opportunities to strengthen existing knowledge and teaching skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector discussed an evaluation of an activity with the manager.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the manager, staff and children.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of persons working with children. The inspector discussed with the manager and staff how they reflect on their practice.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through email feedback and discussions during the inspection process.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The provider and staff have a good understanding of how to deal with concerns about children's welfare, including the agencies they must report these to. The setting is secure and daily risk assessments and checks ensure children remain safe. There are effective systems for staff induction. Ongoing suitability checks ensure that staff continue to be suitable to work with children. Safeguarding is effective. Partnerships with parents and other professionals ensure that children receive the support they need to minimise or close gaps in learning. Staff skilfully support children's transitions, within the setting and when they move on to school, including schools in other countries. The provider and staff use additional funding effectively to support children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have high expectations of all children based on accurate assessment of their skills, knowledge and understanding when they join the setting. Ongoing monitoring helps to ensure appropriate interventions are secured. Teaching is good and some aspects are outstanding. Staff plan and provide a wide range of stimulating activities that promotes children's curiosity to learn. Children enjoy drawing on their knowledge of the real world as they use their imagination spontaneously. They have great fun taking pegs and pretending these are curlers, giving staff an impromptu makeover in their pop-up hairdressing salon. Children play games that help them to match number names to the correct symbol and count different groups of objects into various amounts.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children enjoy excellent opportunities to learn about the wider world. Their different cultural backgrounds are celebrated and respected. This helps them to thoroughly explore the similarities and differences they share with each other. Children demonstrate exceptionally positive behaviour and very high levels of self-control. They cooperate with each other, effectively learning to take turns and share toys. Staff support children to learn how to manage risks and challenges for themselves. For example, they are encouraged to hold and use scissors carefully and they quickly identify the dangers of using outside play equipment in the rain. All children develop very good hygiene practice through daily routines.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress from their initial starting points. They explore many different activities and resources. This helps them to develop the skills and knowledge that prepares them for their eventual move on to school. Older children learn how to count. They recognise and write their names. Children develop independence skills, such as pouring drinks and using tools during creative play. They enjoy a variety of activities that helps them to develop physical skills. For example, as they manipulate dough or match a wide range of actions to traditional songs and rhymes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY495142 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1031350 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 22 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Thorn Grove Little Acorns Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01279653233

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reference number

Thorn Grove Little Acorns Limited registered in 2015. The provider employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one holds qualified teacher status. The setting opens Monday to Friday during school term time. Sessions are from 9am until midday and again from 12.30pm until 3.30pm. The setting 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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