Acorns

Acorns The Grange School, Staverton Road, DAVENTRY, Northamptonshire NN11 4HW

p.1

Inspection date 10 September 2018 Previous inspection date 26 March 2015

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Not Applicable

p.1

The provision is good

n Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend at this friendly club. Staff engage themselves in children's play. They initiate meaningful conversations with them and offer suggestions on how they can further develop and extend their play ideas. n Children are self-confident and display a positive sense of self-esteem. Staff get to know the children well and their positive interactions help children to settle quickly. Younger children receive good support and develop strong attachments with their key person. n Staff encourage children to be independent and promote them to do tasks themselves. For example, children help to prepare and serve snacks, pour their own drinks and make choices about what and where they want to play. n Partnerships with parents and the school are well established. Staff and teachers share relevant information to promote continuity in children's care and development. n The experienced and well-qualified manager shows a strong commitment to the

p.1

The provision is good

continued development of the club. She seeks the views of parents, children and staff to help her effectively evaluate the quality of the provision and to identify further improvements.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

n Staff do not consistently obtain detailed information from parents about their children's likes and interests when they first start, in order to support their play and learning in the club. n The monitoring of staff's practice does not precisely identify what staff need to do to develop the quality of their practice 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

n gain more detailed information from parents about their children's likes and interests when they first start, to help enhance their experiences at the club n strengthen staff's supervision and focus more precisely on building the quality of their practice, knowledge and skills to the highest level.

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the activities indoors and outdoors, and the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the manager and spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the manager at convenient times during the inspection and met with the headteacher of the school. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club. n The inspector took account of the views of the parents through documentation provided for the inspection.

p.2

Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff undertake regular child protection training to keep their knowledge up to date. They are aware of the possible indicators of abuse and know the procedure to follow to report any concerns about the welfare of a child in their care. Robust recruitment and ongoing vetting processes are in place to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff are deployed effectively to ensure that children are appropriately supervised. Detailed risk assessments help to ensure that any potential risks are identify and minimised, and the premises are kept secure. Staff have twice- yearly one-to-one meetings with the manager and attend regular team meetings. These provide opportunities for staff to discuss any concerns and exchange activity ideas. The manager and staff are passionate about the club and are keen to provide children with good-quality care and play experiences.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Activities are well planned and children benefit from being able to chose if they want to play indoors or outdoors. Staff respect children's opinions and encouraged them to contribute towards the planning of activities. Children's creative imagination is promoted well. For example, children become engrossed in creating different creatures using coloured dough. They follow their own ideas as they carefully mould the shapes and add other resources, such as feathers, to make their creatures unique. Staff constantly comment on what children are doing and support them to solve problems. For example, they suggest mixing two colours of dough together to make a different colour. Children show pride in their accomplishments and are eager to share what they have been doing with their parents. They skilfully use cameras to take photos of their work and staff share these with parents. Children show a keen interest in books and reading. Staff read

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

books with them and ask probing questions about the story. They encourage children to make predictions about what they think will happen next.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children display positive behaviour. Staff are calm and constantly act as good role models. They praise children's achievements at the club, in school and at home. Children understand rules and boundaries well. Older children show empathy towards the younger children. For example, they encourage them to join in their games and treat them with kindness and respect. Children play well together, they take turns and use their manners routinely. Children have good understanding of the importance of leading healthy lifestyles, such as eating healthy foods and taking part in regular physical exercise. Children enjoy playing team games and practising their balance and coordination skills as they explore the different apparatus. They play football and confidently discuss their tactics and skills with visitors. Staff teach children about keeping themselves safe and encourage them to consider dangers around them.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 219945 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 10071093 Type of provision Out-of-school day care

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 4 - 11 Total number of places 46 Number of children on roll 113 Name of registered person Acorns at The Grange School Committee

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 26 March 2015 Telephone number 01327 705785

p.4

reference number

Acorns registered in 1998. The out-of-school club employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold qualifications in early years or playwork at level 3. The club opens Monday to Friday during term time, from 7.30am to 8.40am and from 3.15pm to 6pm. During school holidays, the club opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, except for the Christmas and New Year holiday.

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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

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 monthly newsletter for more information and updates: www.ofsted.gov.uk/user .

p.5

reference number

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

p.5