Little Acorns

Little Acorns 55 Leicester Road, Barnet, Hertfordshire EN5 5EL

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Inspection date 13 March 2019 Previous inspection date 10 February 2016

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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

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This provision is good

n The experienced manager provides effective leadership and is committed to continuous improvement. She takes account of the views of staff, parents and other professionals to target areas for further development. n Staff provide good support to enable children to develop their early writing skills. They offer enjoyable group activities to strengthen hand muscles and promote independent mark-making opportunities throughout the setting. In addition they give focused support to help older children to link letters to sounds. n There is a highly effective key-person system. Staff are extremely caring and establish very positive and caring relationships with children, supporting their emotional well- being superbly. Children are extremely happy. n Planning and assessment processes are thorough and focus on helping children to achieve their next steps in learning. n At times, staff do not extend opportunities for children to build on their understanding

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This provision is good

of size and length, even further. n The professional development of the staff does not identify precisely what they can do to raise the quality of teaching to the highest level.

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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 more opportunities for children to extend their mathematical skills further n extend professional development opportunities to help staff to further develop their teaching skills, to raise the quality of children's learning experiences to the highest level.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector took into account the views of parents and carers spoken to on the day. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children as they engaged in activities together. n The inspector completed a joint inspection of an activity with the manager. n The inspector observed children at play in the playroom and the outdoor area. n The inspector held discussions with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

All staff have a good knowledge about wider safeguarding issues. They understand how to make a referral to local agencies if they are concerned about a child's welfare. Staff supervise children well and maintain a safe environment. Recruitment, vetting and induction procedures are rigorous to check staff suitability. Safeguarding is effective. Parents are complimentary about the quality of the provision, commenting particularly on the friendliness of staff and the welcome that their children receive. The management team monitors children's development effectively. The team meets regularly with staff to discuss their key children's progress and complete group-tracking documents to help identify any gaps in their learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are well qualified and use their knowledge and skills to support children's play and learning. Children are motivated and curious. They follow instructions well and are familiar with the daily routines. Children's language development is fostered well. For example, staff play alongside younger children and spend time talking and listening to children to help build on their speaking skills. Children are eager and enthusiastic to take part in the activities offered to them. Staff support children to learn about the natural world and solve problems in their play. For instance, children make bird feeders, using string, and pine cones stuffed with a mixture they make from lard and bird seed. They work out that the lard mixed with the bird seed helps it stick to the pine cones. Staff extend children's play indoors and outdoors, and support them to make connections. For example, children make mud pies in the mud kitchen, using metal spoons and

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff consider the needs of groups of children and tailor activities exceptionally well to their requirements. For example, young children who benefit from individual support take part in small-group activities. Staff continually support children's excellent independence, for instance, as they learn to wash their hands, put on their coats and serve their own snack. Staff use highly effective and consistent strategies to promote positive behaviour and raise children's self-esteem. For example they have a 'Proud Cloud board' where staff celebrate home achievements of children. Children are highly confident and are extremely thoughtful to their friends. For example, they quickly comfort their friends who feel sad and need support. Children show an excellent understanding of how to play well together.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress from their starting points. Children use a wide range of resources successfully to support their early reading and writing skills effectively. Children acquire the good skills required in preparation for their eventual move on to school. Children show a great interest in reading. For instance, boys enjoy sitting in large decorated cardboard boxes filled with cushions to read books they have chosen.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY314555 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10061401 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Congdon, Pauline Anne

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 10 February 2016 Telephone number 07931668499

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reference number

Little Acorns was registered in 2005. The pre-school operates from New Barnet, in the London Borough of Barnet. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 4 to level 2. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term times only. Sessions are from 9.15am to 12.15pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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

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