The Little Acorns Preschool (Chelmsford)

The Little Acorns Preschool (Chelmsford) St. Luke's Church Hall, Gloucester Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 9LG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 March 2018 13 November 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

 Staff accurately assess children's development and the manager monitors children's progress closely. She checks for any gaps between groups of children, such as boys and girls, and addresses these quickly. Staff plan successfully for children's next steps in learning and offer further support where needed. All children progress well from their starting points.  Partnerships with parents are strong and all staff create meaningful and trusting relationships with families. This provides a strong link from home to the pre-school.  Children build secure relationships with staff as there is an effective key-person system. This helps to positively support children's emotional well-being.  Children are very happy at the pre-school, they laugh and have fun. This helps them to develop confidence and a sense of belonging.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although the manager supports staff well, she does not make the most of supervision meetings to set precise targets that raise the good quality of practice to a higher level.  Staff do not consistently make the most of the questions they ask children to fully extend their learning and promote their thinking skills.

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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 existing performance management systems to help raise the quality of teaching to an even higher level  make better use of questioning to help fully extend children's learning and support their rapid progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector had meetings with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff working at the pre-school.  The inspector spoke to staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation of a teaching activity with the pre-school manager.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussion and reading the written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff have good safeguarding knowledge. They are clear about the indicators that may alert them to any concerns for a child's welfare. Staff have a good awareness of the procedures to follow should they have any child protection concerns. There are secure recruitment procedures to check the suitability of staff. This contributes to keeping children safe. The manager uses self-evaluation effectively. She seeks the views of parents and staff, to make positive changes to improve outcomes for children. For example, she has responded to staff requests for further training. Staff work very well with relevant agencies and other professionals to ensure that children receive the support they need.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children well and have a good knowledge of how children learn. They use their observations and assessments to plan effectively for children's next steps in learning. Staff provide a stimulating and enabling learning environment. Children benefit from a good range of resources that inspires them to be interested to explore. Staff are skilful storytellers. Children delight as they join in with their favourite stories and the accompanying actions. Staff play alongside children and demonstrate good play skills. For example, children enjoy engaging in pretend play with staff in the role-play area.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are good role models and offer gentle reminders to children to share and take turns when using resources. Children behave well and the atmosphere in the pre-school is calm. Children have good opportunities to learn about themselves and others. They begin to develop an understanding of other cultures and traditions from around the world. Children enjoy healthy snacks and benefit from opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, children persevere as they complete an obstacle course and enjoy throwing and catching balls and bean bags. Staff promote children's independence well. Children have opportunities to make decisions about where they will play. They pour their own drinks and demonstrate a good knowledge of hygiene routines, such as washing their hands after they have used the toilet.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children of all ages enjoy their learning and quickly gain the skills they need for the next stage in their learning and for school. Pre-school children are curious about nature. They confidently use magnifying glasses and factual books to help describe and identify toy insects. Younger children begin to use mathematical language, such as 'full' and 'empty' as they enjoy filling and pouring coloured rice into different sized containers. All children are inquisitive and motivated learners.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY420651 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1105218 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 42 Number of children on roll 63 Name of registered person The Little Acorns Pre-School (Chelmsford)

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 13 November 2014 Telephone number 07812 368 692

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reference number

The Little Acorns Preschool (Chelmsford) registered in 2011. The pre-school employs 14 members of staff. Of these, one holds appropriate early years qualifications at level 4 and 10 at level 3. The pre-school opens each weekday, during school term time. Sessions are each weekday from 9.15am until 12.15pm, and optional sessions on Monday and Friday from 9.15am until 3.30pm and/or from 12.30pm 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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