Little Acorns Kindergarten

Inspection of Little Acorns Kindergarten Wharf Road, Wendover, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP22 6HF

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour and attitudes to learning are exceptional. They show high levels of curiosity. This is demonstrated as they ask questions about how ice is created and how it melts. They investigate and observe closely as they put ice in different places to see what will happen to it. Staff challenge children's thinking superbly by asking them what they can do to make the ice melt quicker. Children hold thought-provoking conversations with others and predict what will happen, using their prior knowledge and experience.

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The provision is outstanding

Children have immense fun and delight in their time at the kindergarten. They demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they arrive and eagerly join in with the outstanding range of activities on offer. For example, children play imaginatively in the 'hairdressers'. They talk animatedly to each other about hairstyles they can create. They squeal with laughter as they create 'rainbow hair' and admire it in the mirror.

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The provision is outstanding

Children benefit from a highly impressive range of inspiring learning opportunities. Staff plan exceptionally well to meet children's individual needs and interests. The entire staff team shares the highest of expectations for all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Managers act with integrity. For example, they make bold decisions and deploy staff superbly to help all children make the best possible progress from the outset.

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need to do better?

n Managers reflect exceptionally well on the unique needs of the children that attend. They swiftly identify that they need to nurture children's social and communication skills. Staff share the vision for the curriculum. They work together impressively to meet individual children's needs. This is demonstrated when they ignite children's interest in stories and immerse them in new language. Children are highly motivated learners. They eagerly listen to stories, such as 'The Hungry Caterpillar' and 'Handa's Surprise'. Staff skilfully introduce new vocabulary through high-quality interactions and by using an exciting range of visual props. Children develop a wealth of new words, which they go on to use in conversations with others. n The management team makes timely and highly effective decisions. These help them to support vulnerable children and children with SEND superbly. For instance, through exceptional transition arrangements, such as home visits,

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need to do better?

managers gain a full and precise understanding of children's needs from the outset. They develop outstanding partnerships with parents and professionals. This helps them to seek early help, ready for when children begin at the kindergarten. Managers use additional funding extremely well to provide

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need to do better?

20 January 2020 specialist support to help children to achieve the best possible outcomes. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the support that their children receive. n Staff enrich the curriculum with an excellent range of exciting learning opportunities. Children benefit from regular physical activities, including football and yoga. Managers plan with specialist teachers to help to ensure that these experiences support children's unique needs effectively. For instance, through yoga, children who struggle to manage their feelings and behaviour learn ways to help them to remain calm. Through football activities, staff help to develop children's concentration and memory. Staff welcome family members into the kindergarten. This is demonstrated when grandparents visit to talk about the countries that they come from, such as Italy. Children enjoy tasting traditional foods and finding out about the similarities and differences between themselves

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need to do better?

and others. n Staff develop exceptional partnerships with parents. For example, they provide guidance to help parents to support their children's care needs, including sleep workshops and first-aid training. Staff help parents to access the help they require from professionals, such as health visitors and speech and language therapists. Parents report that they find this extremely beneficial to their families. n Managers take every opportunity to engage with the staff. This is illustrated by their outstanding approach to managing workload. For instance, managers monitor workload and ensure that staff have the time required to complete their duties within the working day. Managers have improved the working environment for their team, for example by creating a relaxing staff room area. Staff report that they feel highly valued and that managers care about their well- being.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have an exceptional understanding of how to deal with concerns about a child's welfare. They have a secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms which may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. This includes the risks of radical and extreme views or behaviours. Staff have a strong understanding of local multi- agency safeguarding arrangements. Managers ensure that staff keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date. For instance, they test staff's knowledge during staff meetings. Managers follow robust recruitment procedures. This helps them to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY486655 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10128757 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 Full day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 63 Name of registered person Little Acorns Kindergarten Charity

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reference number

Telephone number 01296 625 787 Date of previous inspection 7 June 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Little Acorns Kindergarten has been operating since 1990 and is located in Wendover, Buckinghamshire. The provider employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, nice hold qualifications at level 3, and two hold qualifications at level 6. The kindergarten is open from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9am to 3.30pm. There is also a breakfast club that operates from 8.30am to 9am. The kindergarten provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector went on a learning walk with managers. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector carried out an evaluation of teaching with the manager following a planned activity. n The inspector talked to parents on the day of the inspection. She also considered their written views. n The inspector held a meeting with managers and discussed self-evaluation. She looked at evidence of the suitability of staff working in the kindergarten.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

20 January 2020 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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