Little Acorns

Little Acorns Youth & Community Centre, Harvey Street, Watton, Thetford, Norfolk IP25 6EB

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Inspection date 16 November 2018 Previous inspection date 12 November 2015

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Inadequate 4 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Inadequate 4 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4 Outcomes for children Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

n Children's safety is compromised. Staff knowledge and understanding of safeguarding is poor. For example, not all staff are aware of how to report a concern about another staff member. The managers do not implement an effective safeguarding policy, in line with the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Additionally, the management team does not share its knowledge of training with staff. n Recruitment and vetting procedures are weak. The management team fails to check that all staff are suitable to fulfil their role in working with children. For example, suitable references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks are not in place for all staff working with children. This places children at risk. n There are no arrangements in place to ensure that staff can access support. This limits staff improvement of their own personal effectiveness. n The quality of teaching is ineffective. Staff assessments of children's progress are not

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This provision is inadequate

completed to a level where progress can be accurately checked or monitored. As a result, children are not provided with appropriate experiences and activities to promote their next steps in learning. Children do not make sufficient progress in their development. n Children do not have daily opportunities for outside activities. This means children do not benefit from regular exercise and fresh air. This also has a negative impact on children who prefer to learn and play outside. n Opportunities for children to be independent are not promoted.

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It has the following strengths

n Children have access to a wide range of toys and resources. They are settled and enjoy their time in the setting.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and Childcare Register the provider must: Due date ensure that all staff receive effective induction and refresher training to gain a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and child protection 30/11/2018

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

ensure the safety of children by implementing robust recruitment and vetting procedures, with particular reference to obtaining a criminal records check for staff working directly with children 30/11/2018

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

implement an appropriate programme of supervision and monitoring of staff to identify inconsistent practice and training needs, and use this to improve the quality of teaching 07/12/2018

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

ensure that children have opportunities for outdoor activities on a daily basis 30/11/2018

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

ensure that staff regularly complete accurate assessments to maintain a clear record of the progress each child makes and use it effectively to plan tailored experiences that help children to make the best possible progress in their learning. 07/12/2018

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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

n provide opportunities for children to become independent learners.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and during the short period of access outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the management team. She looked at relevant documentation, including children's learning records. She reviewed evidence of the suitability of some persons working on the premises. n The inspector completed a joint observation and evaluation of an activity with one of the managers. n The inspector spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector was unable to speak to parents during the inspection and there was no written feedback to review.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is inadequate

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective. Some staff are not aware of the procedures to follow if they are concerned about children's welfare or in the event of an allegation being made against another member of staff. This compromises children's welfare. In addition to this, the weaknesses within recruitment and vetting procedures for new staff mean that children's safety is not assured. The managers have not ensured that there are effective systems for the supervision and performance management of staff. This means staff performance is not monitored, or the quality of teaching developed. Despite this, staff have a reasonable understanding of how to protect children from physical hazards. For example, they ensure the main entrance door, which leads to a busy car park, is locked and secure throughout the session. Staff supervise children in order to keep them safe. They welcome other professionals, such as speech

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is inadequate

and language therapists, to visit children during sessions.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

Staff do not use their observations of children's learning during play. They do not identify potential next steps or support and monitor children's progress effectively. This means staff fail to provide children with a range of purposeful and challenging play opportunities. Activities are not planned, but a wide variety of toys are set out for children to enjoy. The quality of teaching is weak. For example, staff interaction with children is not consistent. When staff do support children, they involve themselves in children's play. For instance, staff label construction materials and talk about 'fixing' and 'broken' items. They also provide some support to help children's readiness for school. For example, children are encouraged to recognise letters that are familiar to them, such as those in their name label.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Weaknesses in leadership and management, in relation to staff suitability checks, mean that children's safety is not assured. Children have some opportunities to play outside. However, these are not a routine occurrence as the managers state they sometimes 'run out of time' during the session. This means that children miss out on daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. Despite this, staff use snack time to promote healthy eating and hygiene. They encourage effective handwashing and clean tables before use. Fresh fruit and milk are provided on a daily basis. Sometimes, older children are allowed to pour their own drinks but staff pour younger children's drinks for them. Staff often complete tasks that children could learn to do for themselves, such as putting on their coat or taking off their shoes. This means opportunities for children to become independent are limited.

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Outcomes for children are inadequate

Due to the weaknesses in the quality of teaching, children do not make the progress of which they are capable. Some children exhibit suitable concentration during play. For example, they slowly and carefully add another brick to the top of a tall tower without it falling.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY262769 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10064989 Type of provision Sessional day care

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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 26 Number of children on roll 14 Name of registered person Little Acorns Partnership

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 12 November 2015 Telephone number 07843772712

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reference number

Little Acorns registered in 2003 and is located in Thetford, Norfolk. There are three members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8.45am until 11.45am, during term time only. The setting 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.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.

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