Acorn Day Nursery

Inspection of Acorn Day Nursery 2 Roman Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU3 2QT

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

The quality of education is variable. Staff's knowledge of their curriculum intentions varies, including the quality of their interactions with the children. Staff working with the younger children and babies, sometimes, overlook opportunities to extend children's interests and to build on what they know and can do. Therefore, on occasions, these children do not show good levels of curiosity or engagement in their play. Furthermore, younger children and babies are not consistently provided with sufficient resources and inviting activities. This restricts opportunities for the children to explore and develop their own ideas and creativity.

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The provision requires improvement

Nevertheless, children demonstrate that they are settled and enjoy their time at the nursery. Older children enjoy the company of their friends. They learn to play corporately together and to share the toys. Children enjoy being physically active in the fresh air. They develop their balancing skills as they walk along the upturned crates, learn to throw and catch balls and jump onto the hopscotch squares. Children use tools, such as paint brushes, to make marks in the sand and toy tweezers to pick up objects. This helps to prepare them for skills, such as holding and controlling a pen. Younger children develop their hand-to-eye coordination skills as they learn to move rice and lentils from one container to another. Babies enjoy playing peek-a-boo games with the staff.

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need to do better?

n The management team has recently evaluated the quality of the provision and identified areas for improvement. The nursery is currently going through a period of staff change and refurbishment. However, the supervision and monitoring of staff has become inconsistent. Staff do not receive effective support, coaching, and training to enable them to perform their roles and responsibilities to a consistently good level. This includes the development of their knowledge of the curriculum and their interactions with the children. n Staff working with the younger children do not consistently structure the curriculum to support and build on what children already know and can do. For example, when children become interested in their play staff do not always use the opportunity to spontaneously challenge children's thinking and ask probing questions. Additionally, resources and planned activities do not always stimulate

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need to do better?

children's curiosity and engagement. n A welcoming and friendly atmosphere greets all children and their families. Staff are kind and caring towards the children. They are attentive to the children's care needs, which supports their emotional security. Staff develop appropriate partnerships with parents and other professionals to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n Improvements have been made regarding staff's management of the children's

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need to do better?

26 January 2022 behaviour. Overall, children behave well. Children learn to follow nursery rules and boundaries, such as why it is important not to run in doors and the importance of being kind and caring towards their friends. n Management and staff have adapted routines, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure the good health of children attending. For example, parents are currently not allowed in the building during drop off and collection times. Staff actively supported families during the national lockdowns. They delivered learning packs to support children's ongoing learning at home, and made regular telephone calls to keep in touch with vulnerable families. Furthermore, management have provided emotional support such as counselling to the staff. n Management and staff have recognised that some children require additional support to develop their communication and language skills. Older children,

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need to do better?

including children who speak English as an additional language and children in receipt of early years pupil premium, are supported to extend their range of vocabulary. For example, older children learn descriptive words associated with the texture of pineapple and rhubarb. They are developing the confidence to use language to talk about what they are doing as they pretend to make a cake at the play cooker.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Management and staff demonstrate a sound knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse, including wider aspects, such as radicalisation. They know how to report child protection concerns, including if an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff. This supports children's safety and well-being. Management follow appropriate recruitment procedures. Newly appointed members of staff follow an induction process, which supports them to understand their role and responsibilities. This includes the completion of child protection training. A range of written policies and procedures are in place to support the management of the nursery.

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Due date

26 January 2022 improve staff's personal effectiveness including their knowledge of the curriculum and interactions with the children, to ensure all children receive meaningful and challenging learning experiences that build on what they already know and can do 25/03/2022

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Due date

ensure staff receive effective support, coaching and training opportunities to improve their practice, increase their knowledge of the curriculum and their interactions with the children. 25/03/2022

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should:

n review the organisation of the environment to ensure resources and activities support children's motivation to explore and develop their play and ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY233564 Local authority Luton Inspection number 10221032 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 50 Number of children on roll 70 Name of registered person Fisher, Christiane Elisabeth

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reference number

Telephone number 01582 574390 Date of previous inspection 20 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Acorn Day Nursery was registered in 2002. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6. One member of staff is a qualified teacher. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm all year round. It 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 provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed staff's interactions with the children during indoor and outdoor activities, and assessed the impact this has on the children's progress and achievements. n The provider, manager, staff and children engaged in discussions with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and discussed the children's progress and achievements. n A sample of the nursery documents was reviewed by the inspector. This included evidence of staff suitability and training.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector took account of the views of parents by speaking to them.

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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

26 January 2022 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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