Little Acorns Pre-School

Little Acorns Pre-School Mawdesley C of E School, Hurst Green, Mawdesley, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L40 2QT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 June 2018 9 June 2015

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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 manager is ambitious and dedicated to providing a home from home environment for children. Ongoing, accurate self-evaluation helps the manager to monitor and improve the quality of the pre-school.  Staff have a very good understanding of how children learn. Regular and precise assessments of children's development help staff to plan exciting and challenging activities.  Mathematical development is a strength. Children have frequent opportunities to count and recognise numerals.  Children are happy and confident in the well-resourced pre-school. They explore freely and take ownership of the environment.  Children work comfortably in the range of development typical for their age. They are developing the skills they need for the next stage in their learning, including school.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Arrangements for sharing information about children's development with the other settings that they attend is not fully embedded.

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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 the way information about children's learning is shared with other settings that they attend.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held a leadership and management discussion with the manager.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this had on children.  The inspector spoke to some parents and took account of their views.  The inspector spoke to children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and complete regular safeguarding training. They know the procedures to follow if they have concerns about the welfare of a child. Staff have a good knowledge of wider safeguarding concerns, including the risks associated with children and families being drawn into extreme views and behaviours. Recruitment procedures are robust. The manager ensure that staff are thoroughly vetted and complete ongoing suitability checks. Staff performance is monitored on a regular basis and feedback given to raise the quality of teaching even further.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of teaching is very good. Children have plenty of opportunities to problem solve and think critically. For example, children guess who each book bag belongs to when staff give them clues about the owner. Mathematical development is seamlessly threaded into all aspects of learning. Children count and recognise numerals with great confidence and use this knowledge to extend their play. Children have good imaginative skills. For example, they take turns in the wooden ship and discuss with each other where they are sailing to. Children show concentration and perseverance when trying to find the correct balance of sand and water to hold together a tower of rocks. Staff support children to develop their technological skills. For example, children use walkie-talkies to communicate with staff when they go to the bathroom or play outside. Furthermore, children use the computer to complete basic programs independently.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children thrive in the small, homely environment. They form strong bonds with staff and their peers. The daily routine is well embedded. Children know what is expected of them and behave well. They are friendly and polite. Staff make the most of opportunities to teach children about keeping themselves safe. For example, on a walk, children know to stop at the end of the pavement and check left and right for traffic. Furthermore, they know that they must be careful when exploring the greenery as some of it is prickly. Staff have good relationships with parents. They give regular feedback about children's development and provide opportunities for parents to contribute to children's learning.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are self-motivated and naturally curious. They are eager to learn and make good progress. Staff support children to develop the skills they need for the next stage in their learning, including their eventual move on to school. For example, children practise writing their name and learn about sounds that letters represent. Children's development is monitored frequently and any gaps in attainment are swiftly identified and addressed. Children's social skills are good. They communicate their views and opinions with confidence to each other and to staff.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 309767 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 1090709 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 3 - 4 Total number of places 13 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Little Acorns Mawdesley Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 9 June 2015 Telephone number 01704 822657

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reference number

Little Acorns Pre-School registered 1998. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The manager has achieved early years professional status. The pre-school opens Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 12noon until 3.30pm and Wednesday 9am until 3.30pm, term time only.

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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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