Acorns Early Years Centre

Inspection of Acorns Early Years Centre Joy House, Franklin Road, Dartford, Kent DA2 7UZ

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children, including those who are new to the nursery, settle well on arrival. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, key staff now greet all children and their families warmly at the nursery's main entrance. On arrival, children confidently leave their parents and eagerly seek out enjoyable activities in their base rooms. Older babies' individual care needs are met well. Staff show respect and consideration when asking them whether they are ready for a nappy change. This has a positive impact on children's confidence and emotional well-being. Children develop good levels of independence. For instance, during group activities, toddlers recognise themselves in photos and proudly place them on a self-registration board. Pre-school children understand their opinions are important to staff and confidently share their ideas. They engage in meaningful conversations about their drawings and eagerly share their thoughts on items in a curiosity box. Staff are positive role models and have

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The provision is good

high expectations for children's behaviour. As a result, children show kindness and consideration for each other as they happily share and take turns, such as when using sand play equipment. Older children demonstrate good listening skills and follow nursery routines with minimal disruption. They receive clear guidance from staff during daily routines so that they know when to bring their chosen play to an end.

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need to do better?

n The management team has effective processes in place for the monitoring of children's play and learning. The team identified that some children do not always want to play outdoors. This resulted in staff providing a range of activities indoors, including shaving foam and toy dinosaurs for children to explore. This helps to provide good experiences for all children's needs. n The management team is totally committed to the care and education of all children. The team constantly reflects on the curriculum intent to raise the quality of the educational programmes. Staff receive regular supportive feedback on their everyday practice and there is a positive culture of professional development. For example, staff have completed training on how to provide an enabling indoor environment for children. n Numeracy skills are well supported across the nursery. Staff introduce mathematical language and use it effectively throughout the day. For instance,

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need to do better?

they use positional language as children play with sand. Older children are encouraged to problem solve. They discover how to calculate the number of play bricks they need when building, and they take pride in their achievements. n Staff place a good emphasis on supporting children's communication and language skills. Babies enjoy exploring picture books. Toddlers excitedly join in action songs, and pre-school children explore the illustrations and narratives of books. However, younger children are not consistently supported in the teaching

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need to do better?

27 October 2021 of new words to develop their vocabulary. n Staff are attentive to children's needs. They help younger children to master new skills, such as putting on their own coats. However, children have to wait for everyone to be ready before going outdoors to play. This impacts on the learning opportunities that they can have outside. n Staff who support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities have a clear understanding of their role. They work closely with parents and seek support from other professionals. Staff use the knowledge gained to great effect to ensure that each child has the appropriate support. This helps to ensure that children's needs are met and gaps in their learning close as quickly as possible. n Children delight in their outdoor play. They skilfully manoeuvre tricycles, negotiate uneven surfaces and balance on stepping stones. Children's oral health is well supported. They explore the importance of brushing their teeth and

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need to do better?

confidently identify healthy food options, such as carrots and apples. This helps children to learn self-care skills. n Parents speak highly of the nursery and form good relationships with staff. Parents speak positively about how staff have provided ideas on activities they could do at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. They found these very helpful. Parents say that they feel informed about their children's progress and receive daily updates.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff demonstrate a secure understanding of how to keep children safe. They know the signs which may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. This includes knowledge of wider safeguarding issues, such as domestic violence and the 'Prevent' duty. Staff understand how to report concerns. The manager follows safer recruitment processes to ensure that staff are suitable and have the skills required. Staff complete regular risk assessments to help to identify and minimise any hazards that may arise. They make clear records of any accidental injuries that children may have and share this information with parents.

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should:

n develop teaching of communication and language to extend and increase young children's vocabulary n review the organisation of some daily routines so that children do not spend time waiting for others before going outside to play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY243975 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10210679 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 80 Number of children on roll 145 Name of registered person Acorns Early Years Centre

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reference number

Telephone number 01322 550568 Date of previous inspection 6 September 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Acorns Early Years Centre registered in 2006. It operates from a self-contained building on the site of Maypole School, Dartford, Kent. The nursery employs 32 members of staff. Of these, 23 hold early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The manager holds a relevant qualification at level 5. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am to 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 provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The manager, deputy manager and inspector had a learning walk together. n The inspector carried out joint observations with the manager and deputy manager, spoke with staff and interacted with children. n The inspector viewed documents relating to risk assessments. n Parents shared their views about the nursery with the inspector.

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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

27 October 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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