Helmdon Acorns Pre-School

Helmdon Acorns Pre- School Hintons Close, Helmdon, Northamptonshire, NN13 5QP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 February 2018 29 June 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

 The pre-school management and staff team are fully committed to continuous improvement. They are highly successful in reflecting on the service they provide and make adaptations to ensure they continue to truly support the families and meet the needs of the children attending.  Since the last inspection the pre-school has continued to reflect on and make improvements to the experiences they provide for the children. This includes significant and inspiring extensions to the outdoor activities and experiences. A member of staff has completed a specific qualification relating to outdoor activities and this has a highly positive impact on children's learning.  Highly focused professional development is ongoing for the staff team. They receive excellent support from the management team. They are encouraged to reflect positively on their own practice and keep their knowledge up to date, through training.

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This provision is outstanding

 All children, including those with additional needs, make rapid progress in their learning. The staff are highly skilled in their teaching and engage the children in exciting activities that follow their interests and take full account of their next steps in learning.  Partnership working is exceptionally effective. Parents are happy with the care their children receive and they comment on how well the staff support their children. Staff have developed strong partnerships with local schools and this results in children having a very positive transition to them.

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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 extend older and more-able children's excellent deeper thinking skills during play and activities.

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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 completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector held meetings with the nursery manager, the nominated individual and with two members of staff. She looked at relevant documentation and checked evidence of the suitability of staff working with the children and the committee members.  The inspector spoke with children and staff during the inspection.  The inspector spoke with a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Staff work exceptionally well together and are supported by the manager and committee. A clear commitment to professional development and training results in staff developing confidence, an extended understanding of how children learn and how to help them make the best progress they can. The management team are considering how they can continue to promote more-able children's very good deeper thinking skills during their activities. Children's progress is monitored most effectively and staff quickly identify those who need extra support. Additional funding is used successfully for funding resources and activities that contribute to children making swift progress. Safeguarding is effective. Staff understand how to keep children safe and promote their welfare. Staff know the children well and complete regular updated training, which enables them to identify children who may be at risk. Thorough risk assessment and steps taken to reduce hazards result in

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children thoroughly enjoy the highly positive and enthusiastic involvement from staff. For example, during outdoor play, children are confident to roll down a hill when staff show them how to do it. Staff are highly skilled in their teaching. They encourage children to take part in purposeful activities that promote their awareness of mathematics. For example, they play games that involve counting and explore innovative construction activities where they estimate measurements and learn about shapes. Children's communication and language skills are extremely well promoted. Staff speak clearly to children and value their involvement in conversations. Staff make accurate observations and assessments of children's progress. This results in children being excited to take part in activities and they fully embrace the challenges that are offered to them.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children form secure emotional attachments to the staff. They show a genuine interest in children's needs and well-being, taking steps to provide sensitive reassurance for those who need it. The pre-school environment is stimulating and enjoyable for the children and they are confident to move around between their chosen activities. Children are familiar with the daily routines. Behaviour is very good and children respond to the positive and consistent approach from staff. They learn about how to keep themselves safe and enjoy discussions and demonstrations from staff. Children are learning about healthy lifestyles. They play outside in the fresh air, they are supported to manage their own personal hygiene and enjoy healthy options for meals and snacks.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make rapid progress from their individual starting points. They are significantly widening their experiences through the excellent range of activities they enjoy. Children are learning skills that ensure they are extremely well prepared for the next stage in their learning. They are highly motivated, share and develop friendships.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY420501 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 1094617 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 30 Name of registered person Helmdon Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 29 June 2015 Telephone number 01295768327

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reference number

Helmdon Acorns Pre-School registered in 2010 and is managed by a committee. The pre- school employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold early years qualifications at level 3 and one with early years teacher status. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 9am until 3.30pm. The pre- school 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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