Little Acorns

Inspection of Little Acorns 6a Priors Haw Road, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 5PH

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this friendly nursery. They happily leave their parents at the door to confidently join their friends, ready to play. Children of all ages, including the very youngest, quickly develop warm and affectionate relationships with staff. Babies snuggle in for a cuddle as they settle for a nap. Two -year-olds rush across the mat at story time to be close to staff. This helps them to feel safe and develop emotional security.

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The provision is good

Children, regardless of their age, make choices in the well-organised play area. They easily move between activities and select the toys and resources they want to play with. This helps them to develop confidence and become independent learners. Children learn about their differences by spending time together with younger and older friends in mixed age groups. They are closely supervised by staff as they visit the babies, who may be their brothers and sisters.

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The provision is good

Children are proud of their achievements and enjoy the praise they receive from attentive staff. This is because the staff have high expectations for what children can do and learn. Children excitedly put examples of their work into envelopes to share with their parents. Overall, children understand boundaries, behave well and have good attitudes to learning. This is helped by staff who develop a consistent approach to managing children's behaviour.

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need to do better?

n Children develop good physical skills. Four-year-olds practise hand movements as they form letters, draw, and create shapes. Babies use their hands to move dry cereal around in a large flat tray. n Staff help children to develop their communication skills. Children show an interest in making gingerbread men. Staff help the children to plan a trip to the shop to buy the ingredients and what money they will need. During these conversations, children talk about their shopping trips with their parents. Four- year-olds encounter new words, such as 'cinnamon' and 'spice'. However, staff do not help children to learn to how to pronounce some of these new words correctly. n Staff understand what children know and generally what they need to learn next. This helps them to plan a stimulating curriculum that broadens children's experiences. For example, staff know that children like to make their own dough. Children use a range of ingredients and follow simple instruction cards to

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need to do better?

make the dough by themselves. They share the dough with their friends. This builds on what children do at home and helps them to explore different materials. n Most children make good progress. Children are prepared for the next steps in

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need to do better?

10 August 2021 their learning. For example, older children manage their own snack, wash their hands and take themselves to the toilet. Children learn to read and write their own name. This helps to prepare them for school. Babies are supported to stand and are encouraged to move independently. This supports them to explore their environment. Staff do not always plan appropriate play and learning opportunities for children with additional needs. This means some children do not learn as much as they can. n The managers and staff have good relationships with parents. Parents are keen to share examples of their nursery experience. They comment that they will be sad to say goodbye when it is time for their child to go to school. Parents acknowledge that their child's development has improved since attending the nursery. This is with particular regard to their counting skills and social development. n The manager shows enthusiasm for the children she works with. She values her

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need to do better?

staff and supports their access to training. As a result, children are cared for by a dedicated and thoughtful team. n Children know why they walk indoors, understanding that this keeps them safe. Four-year-olds talk about running fast and discuss the Olympic Games. Staff talk to them about what it might feel like to win or lose when playing games. This helps children to understand feelings.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are knowledgeable about child protection. They fully understand how to keep children safe and confidently identify the possible signs that a child may be at risk of harm. Staff keep their knowledge up to date. They attend regular child protection training and discuss general safeguarding practice at team meetings. Appropriate procedures are in place for the recruitment of suitable staff. All staff are required to complete a declaration to confirm their ongoing suitability to work with children. New staff receive a clear induction before they start to work with children, to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities.

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should:

n support and coach staff to find more ways to further include children with additional needs, in order to develop their learning n strengthen staff's understanding of the importance of modelling language for young children, ensuring that children can practise the correct pronunciation of words.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY559510 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10190410 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

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inspection

Total number of places 22 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Little Acorns Corby Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07935900638 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Acorns registered in 2018. It is situated in Corby, Northamptonshire. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications between level 3 and level 6, including two with early years teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the 2020-21 COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager and deputy manager. n The deputy manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together. n The inspector held meetings with the nursery manager/provider and with one member of staff. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

10 August 2021 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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