Little Acorns Day Nursery

Little Acorns Day Nursery Ashgate Manor Medical Centre, Ashgate Road, Chesterfield, S40 4AA

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 June 2018 8 April 2014

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Children make good progress and their learning is well supported. Staff make effective use of their observations and accurate assessments to help make future learning experiences meaningful for children. Staff are knowledgeable about children's interests.  Staff have excellent relationships with children. Children feel secure and settle very quickly at this warm and welcoming nursery. Staff respect children as individuals and promote their well-being effectively.  Children behave well. They understand the rules and boundaries in place. Staff consistently praise the children to promote their confidence and sense of self-esteem.  Well-qualified staff effectively keep parents informed about their children's progress and well-being, helping them to support children's learning at home.  The manager is passionate about supporting the children and families that attend the nursery. The manager and her team demonstrate a dedication and enthusiasm for the

p.1

This provision is good

continued development of the nursery. Information gathered from parents and children is used to identify the strengths and ways to improve the experiences children receive.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 The management team does not yet fully utilise systems for staff supervision to identify ways to build on the already good practice.  At times, staff do not make the best use of opportunities to challenge children and extend their learning even further.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen the systems that are in place for staff supervision and focus sharply on raising the quality of teaching to an even higher level  build on opportunities to challenge the children further, to help accelerate their progress.

p.2

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 spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed two joint observations with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and deputy. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff have a robust knowledge and understanding of the possible signs, symptoms and indicators of abuse and neglect. They know the procedures to follow should they have concerns about children's welfare. The manager uses additional funding very effectively to ensure all children make good progress. The nursery is safe and secure and rigorous recruitment and vetting procedures are followed to help ensure all staff are suitable to work with children. Policies and procedures are well known and implemented by staff. The staff team uses risk assessments throughout the day which helps to reduce potential hazards to children's safety. The management team has systems in place to track the progress made by children. This helps the team to identify and address any possible gaps in children's learning.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide a variety of activities to promote children's imaginative skills. Children enjoy pretending to make tea and watching sugar dissolve in water. Staff get to know children well, assessing their progress regularly to identify where children may require further support. They use their observations and assessments to plan activities to promote children's learning. Staff sit at children's levels and use clear speech. They repeat what children say, offering praise when children use new words. This helps to promote children's communication skills and children develop confidence in their language skills. Toddlers observe snails and develop their mark-making skills as they draw pictures to represent them. Babies begin to explore the properties of different materials while playing with spaghetti, gloop and paint.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The nursery has a calm and friendly feel and children are warmly welcomed by staff. An effective key-person system is in place and staff understand the unique individual needs of all children. Staff are good role models of behaviour. They help children to understand expectations, play cooperatively and develop a growing understanding of each other's feelings. Children make strong relationships with the staff and their peers and settle in quickly. Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves healthy, safe and secure. They explore the environment with confidence and use a range of tools and equipment safely. This contributes to children's increasing self-assurance and sense of achievement. Children have plenty of opportunities to experience fresh air and exercise in the outdoor environment. They eat healthy, freshly cooked meals and snacks.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress during their time at the nursery. This includes children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who receive additional funding. Children grow in confidence and gain strong social skills. Children are active and motivated learners and independently initiate their own play. All children are prepared with key skills they need for the next stage in their learning, including starting school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY472879 Local authority Derbyshire Inspection number 1139371 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 98 Name of registered person Little Acorns Day Nursery (Chesterfield) Limited

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 8 April 2014 Telephone number 01246 557057

p.4

reference number

Little Acorns Day Nursery registered in 2013. The nursery employs 25 members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 6, including the manager who has early years professional status. One member of staff is qualified at level 5, four at level 4 and 15 at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for one week at Christmas and bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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 .

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5