The Little Acorns Day Nursery

The Little Acorns Day Nursery 223 Wilmslow Road, Wilmslow, SK9 3JZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 April 2018 22 May 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

 The management team is highly reflective and displays a strong commitment to providing very good standards of care and learning. It works closely together to evaluate the provision and to identify targeted improvements.  Staff use meticulous observations to accurately assess children's progress. They develop focused planning to support what each child needs to learn next.  Staff provide a welcoming and caring environment where children are happy. They know children well and every child is valued. Children are encouraged to make choices and follow through their own thinking and play creatively. This prepares them well for their next stage of learning.  Children are provided with a good range of nourishing and nutritious food and healthy lifestyles are promoted. Good hygiene procedures are in place and staff invite external specialists to the setting to lead various sports activities.  Staff create a learning environment that reflects a multicultural society and diversity is

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not maximise opportunities to share detailed information with parents about their child's ongoing learning and progress, supporting them to continue their children's learning at home.

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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

 strengthen arrangements for sharing detailed information with parents so they are kept well informed about their children's ongoing achievements and are supported to continue their learning at home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  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 early years lead officer.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The leadership team ensures that robust safeguarding systems are effectively implemented. Children's safety is given the highest priority. Staff are vigilant and have made recent changes to the security arrangements to further embed a safer environment. Accident and medication forms are completed appropriately. The manager regularly meets with staff to review and support their practice, identify their training needs and improve the quality of teaching. The manager is highly passionate about her role and strives to offer children the very best start in life. She analyses and reflects on the progress and welfare of individual and specific groups of children on a regular basis. Parents comment on the friendly and approachable staff team.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children are provided with interesting play experiences which encourage exploration and investigation. They enjoy playing with the animals in the water and staff use this opportunity to weave new vocabulary, such as 'squirt' and 'squash' into relaxed conversations with the children. Staff closely observe children as they play, which helps them to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of their current and developing interests. Staff understand and use a wide range of effective teaching strategies. They make sure that the daily circle times provide children with opportunities to listen, think and reason. Children are learning to count with increasing accuracy and staff encourage them to count how many cups they need for their friends at snack time. Some children demonstrate a good understanding of numbers. For example, staff support a child to confidently count to 12 while building a tower of bricks.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are very effective in helping children settle in promptly. The consistent nurturing by staff helps children to form secure attachments from the start. Staff are kind and courteous role models and children are confident to 'have a go' and try things for themselves. Babies have plenty of space to explore their environment and develop their physical skills. They show delight as staff use a monkey puppet to tickle their noses and toes. Positive interactions ensure that children are happy to attend and are motivated to play and explore the interesting resources and learning environment. Consistent routines mean that children know the behaviour that is expected. Children's opinions are valued, and staff encourage them to share and reflect on their own learning experiences.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress towards the early learning goals. Excellent opportunities for children to experience school activities, such as early phonics sessions, support their readiness for school when the time comes. They develop a rich vocabulary and show an interest in the sounds that letters make. Children listen well in small groups and enjoy stories. Children form strong relationships with staff and seek out special friends to play with.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY471924 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 1102908 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 - 5 Total number of places 122 Number of children on roll 220 Name of registered person Alan and Veronica Walker Partnership

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 22 May 2014 Telephone number 0161 498 9251

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reference number

The Little Acorns Day Nursery re-registered in 2013. The nursery employs 45 members of staff. Of these, 34 hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 or above and seven at level 2. Two members of staff hold qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, only closing for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded education for 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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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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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