Acorn2Oak Preschool

Acorn2Oak Preschool Castle Hill Junior School, Dryden Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 6QD

p.1

Inspection date 14 June 2019 Previous inspection date 15 June 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 Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

n Parents speak very highly of the pre-school. They say staff are 'fantastic' and offer 'endless support' for children and their families. n Staff work well together as a strong team. They have meetings with the manager to discuss their professional development and identify well-targeted training to extend their knowledge and skills. n Clear areas are identified for improvement. The management asks parents and staff for feedback, and act on their ideas. n Children have a wide range of opportunities to enhance their learning through well- planned activities. Staff join in enthusiastically with children's play. Children show close bonds with staff. n High levels of support are in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language. Staff are proactive at working with outside agencies to help children and families get the support

p.1

This provision is good

they need. n Staff are skilled at promoting children's developing speech and communication. For instance, they use sign language, picture cards and a visual timetable to support children's understanding and ability to communicate their needs. n Children make good progress from their individual starting points. They are confident, talkative and are able to do many things for themselves. Children are well prepared for school. n Occasionally, activities involving larger groups of children are not highly successful at extending children's learning to the highest level. n The outdoor environment is not as carefully organised as the indoors, to encourage children to make independent choices and extend their self-chosen activities.

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 refine the organisation of activities involving larger groups of children, to enhance children's growing concentration and full participation n enhance the quality of outdoor learning, to provide further opportunities for independent choice and encourage children to fully extend their interests.

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

n The inspector observed activities indoors and outside, and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and evaluated the quality of teaching. n The inspector held meetings with the manager and deputy manager. She talked to staff and children at appropriate times to gain their views. n The inspector reviewed a range of documentation, including evidence of staff suitability, policies and children's learning records. n The inspector spoke to parents and viewed written feedback to obtain their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff access regular training and have a shared understanding of the signs of abuse. They understand how to report concerns swiftly. Managers check that staff knowledge is up to date, for example, by asking them questions to see if they fully understand policies and procedures. Staff are well qualified for their roles and many are studying for further qualifications. The management works well with the local authority to discuss staff training needs and to seek advice on supporting individual children. Staff undertake specific training to help them enhance children's communication skills. The deputy manager monitors the learning of individuals and groups of children. Where gaps are identified, she works with staff to help children be ready for the next stage of their learning.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff talk knowledgably about their key children and how they are planning for their next steps in learning. Staff plan engaging activities for children. For instance, staff help children create colourful models of 'Elmer', the patchwork elephant, to extend children's understanding of an art event in the local area. Children use their imaginations to recycle old milk bottles into their elephants. They show good levels of perseverance as they cut and stick tissue paper. Staff skilfully model how to use the scissors, for instance, encouraging children to open and close their hand, 'like a crocodile's mouth'. Children proudly show their designs. Reading is incorporated into everyday activities. Staff share relevant stories with children as they create their artwork. Children listen and talk about the illustrations. Children engage in imaginative play. Staff value this, listening to children's ideas and joining in enthusiastically. Parents are included as partners in

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

children's learning. They are often given ideas of activities to do with their child at home.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children come into the pre-school enthusiastically. They settle quickly and play happily. Children show good levels of emotional well-being and behave well. Staff identify children who need additional support to manage their feelings and behaviour. They create individual education plans with specific targets for children to work towards and share these with parents. Children show spontaneous acts of kindness. For instance, when staff read a story about a lost teddy, children comment, 'I would find your teddy for you'. Children are able to play outside for large parts of the day, taking part in physical and pretend play. Staff offer children healthy snacks and encourage them to try new foods. Children eagerly have a go at peeling their own oranges and bananas. Staff find out about children's backgrounds and religions. They encourage children and their families to share their celebrations, such as with a party for Eid.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Younger children choose their own activities and have a go at saying new words as they play. They select toy sea creatures in the sand area and show these to staff and their friends. Older children are making very good progress with their communication skills. They count as they play and work out 'one more'. Children are keen to interact and ask questions. They talk about how excited they are to start their new school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY420545 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10106406 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Acorn2oak Pre-School

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 June 2015 Telephone number 01473 748 333

p.4

reference number

Acorn2Oak Preschool re-registered in 2010 and is run by committee. It is located at Castle Hill Junior School in Ipswich. The pre-school is open from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday during school term time. There are 12 members of staff, 10 of whom hold a relevant qualification to level 3 or above. This includes the manager, who is qualified at level 5.

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