Felsted Little Acorns

Felsted Little Acorns Felsted Primary School, Braintree Road, Felsted, DUNMOW, Essex CM6 3EB

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Inspection date 5 July 2019 Previous inspection date 14 December 2015

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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 well-established team work well together and provide children with stimulating play opportunities to capture their interests. Staff are vigilant to children's safety and act as good role models. For example, staff wear sun hats during hot weather and frequently remind children to drink plenty of water. n Parents speak highly of the pre-school and appreciate the skills and experience of the staff team. Parents are well informed of children's daily activities and are encouraged to be fully engaged in children's learning. n Children are confident and feel secure at the pre-school. They follow daily routines well and demonstrate independence in their self-care according to their level of development. n Staff support children's early literacy skills effectively. For example, they plan playful activities to enhance children's knowledge of letters and the sounds they make. Children are developing an interest in reading and know that text carries meaning.

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This provision is good

Some older children confidently write their own name. n Staff do not always respond to children's fascination for certain toys and inspire them to investigate how they work. n Sometimes, staff do not foster children's sense of independence and individuality during creative activities.

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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 enhance children's curiosity about the world around them and help them find out how things work n give children more opportunities to independently express their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through creative activities, such as painting.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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 with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. All staff have a clear understanding of their role to identify and report concerns about children in their care. They risk assess the play environment effectively and know what to do in the event of an emergency. The manager works alongside staff and supervises them well. Targets are set to help staff improve their skills and knowledge to a higher level. Self-evaluation is used effectively to identify future improvements to benefit children. The manager has a good overview of children's progress and helps staff plan appropriate next steps in learning. Partnership working with other providers and schools are good and is especially supportive as children move from one provision to the other.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children enjoy playing and learning. They find plenty of interesting playthings and show good levels of concentration in their chosen activities. Staff teach children about size as they compare different footprints and introduce them to mathematical language to describe what they have seen. Children's imaginations are enhanced well as staff join in with their games and search for treasure. Staff provide opportunities for children to draw maps and consider how to reach their destinations by boat. Staff lead group activities skilfully and capture children's interests well. Children learn to listen carefully and when appropriate, join in with their ideas and suggestions.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children show maturity as they organise their games and play happily with friends. They take turns, share toys and show kindness to one another. Children develop good physical skills as they enjoy plenty of fresh air and activities outside. They particularly like kicking balls and pedalling tricycles safely around objects and friends. Staff promote good hygiene routines and children know the appropriate times to wash their hands. Children form strong emotional bonds with their key person and show confidence in their surroundings. They visit the host school regularly and some children join their older friends for school lunches. This helps to build children's confidence in new surroundings prior to moving to school.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are motivated to explore and learn. They communicate very well and are confident to share ideas and thoughts with others. Children make good progress from their starting points and are well prepared for their next stage in learning, including school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 404877 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10062922 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 23 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Felsted Little Acorns Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 14 December 2015 Telephone number 07917 190328

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Felsted Little Acorns registered in 2001 and is situated within the grounds of Felsted Primary School. The pre-school employs 10 members of childcare staff. All hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including two members of staff with qualified teacher status. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 3.15pm. 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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