Little Acorns Nursery

Little Acorns Nursery Little Acorns Nursery, 382 London Road, LEICESTER, LE2 2PN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 January 2018 17 March 2015

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 An inspiring and dedicated team manages this outstanding nursery superbly. Their pursuit of excellence is clear and they ensure that the overall quality is extremely high.  Staff are extremely warm, caring and affectionate with the children. This helps children, particularly in the baby room, to make very secure attachments. This supports children's emotional development and enables them to explore with a great deal of confidence.  All children, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, make rapid progress in their learning. Excellent early intervention helps to quickly identify areas where children require further support. Plans are then put in place very quickly to close gaps in children's learning.  The quality of teaching is superb. Staff are highly skilled in their communication and questioning of children. Children are learning to think critically for themselves and

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This provision is outstanding

starting to solve problems independently.  The environment is highly stimulating. Children enjoy the extremely wide range of activities and resources, and they are constantly engrossed in their chosen play.  Staff are highly reflective on the quality of their practice. They constantly identify how they can develop their knowledge and skills even further. A highly targeted programme of professional development helps support the acquisition of new skills and has an extremely positive effect on the overall quality of the nursery.  Children are highly motivated learners. They sustain their interest and attention in their chosen activity for a sustained period of time and very much enjoy their play.

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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 already excellent outdoor space further to provide even more learning opportunities for children.

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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 carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. He also spoke with staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including the nursery safeguarding procedures, and children's observation and assessment records. He also reviewed the nursery's evaluation documents and discussed other methods of reflective practice.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have an excellent understanding of the procedures they should follow if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Very robust recruitment procedures ensure the suitability of staff to work with children. The quality of the induction, monitoring and professional development programmes has an extremely positive impact on the overall quality of practice. Staff are highly reflective on the quality of the nursery and successfully identify how it can be improved even further. This has led to improvements in the excellent outdoor space that staff are continuing to develop further. Very positive partnerships have been formed with parents and other professionals. Parents are extremely positive about the overall quality of the nursery. They feel it has been excellent for their children's development and their readiness for school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff make highly accurate assessments of children's learning and know the children exceptionally well. This enables them to plan an extremely wide range of very interesting activities that challenge children and help them to flourish. There is a sharp focus on helping children acquire communication and language skills. Staff expertly use sign language, alongside songs to support children in their acquisition of language. Staff have a thorough understanding of the skills children need to acquire to help them in the next stage of their learning. For example, focusing on children's physical development and strengthening of the shoulder and arm muscles, to support their ability to write later in their development. Staff are highly aware of how and where children prefer to learn and provide a wide range of equipment and resources both inside and in the garden.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The key-person system is exceptionally strong and the settling-in processes are highly effective in helping children to quickly feel secure. Children, particularly in the baby room, clearly know their key person and form a very close attachment to them. Staff get to know the children and their families very closely and prioritise meeting their individual needs. Staff place a high importance on the outdoor area and allow children to take manageable risks. Children demonstrate a great deal of confidence to try new things, learn new concepts and ask questions. They behave very positively and this helps to create an excellent environment in which they flourish.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children develop a wide range of important skills that prepare them extremely well for the next stage of their learning and move on to school. Older children show a genuine interest in mathematics. They use mathematical language, such as 'more', 'less' and 'longer', as they build a boat using boxes. Children learn how to make marks using different materials, and particularly enjoying painting on windows. Children are extremely confident to make their own choices in their play from the very wide range of resources and are becoming increasingly independent.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY479186 Local authority Leicester City Inspection number 1095543 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 57 Number of children on roll 99 Name of registered person Leicestershire Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 17 March 2015 Telephone number 01162705086

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reference number

Little Acorns Nursery was registered in 2014. The nursery employs 17 members of childcare staff. Of these, 15 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. One member of staff holds a level 5 qualification. The nursery opens from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. It 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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