Little Thetford Acorns Pre-School and Children's Club

Little Thetford Acorns Pre-School and Children's Club Oak Field, The Wyches, Little Thetford, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB6 3HG

p.1

Inspection date 12 September 2018 Previous inspection date 7 July 2016

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 Good 2

p.1

The provision is good

n The manager leads a dedicated staff team that works to improve outcomes for children. Staff morale is high. n Staff observe and check children's ongoing progress regularly and plan their next steps in learning effectively. This supports children's development and they make good progress. n Focused improvement plans include feedback from parents, staff, children and the committee. These help to target and address areas for improvement well. n Staff have developed warm, trusting relationships between themselves and the children. This helps children to develop a strong sense of emotional well-being. n Overall, staff have developed strong partnerships with parents. They make plenty of time to discuss children's achievements and provide parents with good support for children's development at home. Parents feel well supported and give high praise for the care their children receive.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

n At times, some staff do not make the most of their interactions with children to develop children's thinking skills as they play. n Staff do not consistently make effective use of the information they gather from parents about what their children already know and can do on entry to the setting.

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 support staff to make the most of opportunities that arise during conversations and activities to extend children's learning fully n gather more-detailed information from parents about what their children already know and can do when they start at the pre-school and use this information to establish more- accurate starting points.

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to staff, children and committee members at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation of an activity with the pre-school manager. n The inspector sampled a range of documents, including children's learning records and evidence of staff suitability to work with children. n The inspector spoke with parents and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The manager is passionate about her role. She leads by example and works with the children every day, successfully modelling good practice. Staff work with enthusiasm and build positive relationships with parents, children and other professionals. Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a thorough understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. They know the procedures to follow if they are concerned a child is at risk of harm. All staff attend child protection training regularly and their knowledge is reviewed at team and supervisory meetings. Recruitment procedures are rigorous, and the efficient induction of new staff and regular one-to-one support and training opportunities lead to consistency in the care of the children. Close links with local schools help staff to support children as they prepare to move into their Reception classes.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children well. They have a good understanding of child development and, overall, know how to promote children's learning through play. Staff promote children's language development well. For example, they repeat children's attempts at sentences and model new words clearly. Children benefit from plenty of opportunities to develop their imagination. Staff use real resources where possible, such as lamps and kitchen utensils in the home corner, and model the use of these. Staff encourage children's ideas well. For example, when outside, children decide to make pancakes and staff encourage the children to choose their favourite toppings.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The pre-school is calm and friendly. When the children arrive, they are keen to learn and participate. An effective key-person system is in place and staff know the children well. Children are familiar with the routine and staff expectations, and they help to tidy away toys. Children have daily opportunities to develop their physical skills, for example, in the outside area as they climb and balance on equipment. Staff support children to make healthy choices at snack time. Staff help children to develop self-help skills, such as buttering their own crackers and using tongs to select fruit.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress during their time at the pre-school. They learn how to care for animals. For example, they take turns holding and feeding the pre-school's guinea pigs. Children work well together to tidy up after activities and independently put on their boots to go outside. They develop skills in readiness for writing, such as drawing and painting to strengthen their hand muscles. They use tools, such as rolling pins and cutters, with increasing skill. Children are successfully acquiring the skills they need to move on to their next stage of learning or school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY405040 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10062129 Type of provision Full 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 2 - 4 Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Little Thetford Acorns

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 7 July 2016 Telephone number 01353 649234

p.4

reference number

Little Thetford Acorns Pre-School and Children's Club registered in 2010. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday during school term time. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The pre-school is a committee-run group and receives funding for two-, three- and four-year- old children. The pre-school employs six staff, all of whom hold qualifications at level 3 or above.

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