Oakwood Acorns

Report for childcare on domestic premises

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Staff and the leadership team are very kind and caring. They put children at the heart of everything that they do. Children have the freedom to explore their environments and make independent choices about what they want to do. They have excellent attitudes to learning. Children are highly motivated and work together exceptionally well. For example, older children work out how to fill a large water canister. They think critically and work together to solve the problem. Babies consistently keep on trying hard, even if they encounter difficulties. They try to access a piece of equipment, pulling themselves to stand first. Staff provide support and encouragement, and they successfully climb onto the equipment. They are so proud of their achievements that they clap and squeal with delight.

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The provision is good

Children spend a great deal of time outside, where they gain a deep understanding of the natural world. They show great curiosity as they dig in the mud and look for worms. When they are unsuccessful, they access the compost heap. Children independently gather torches and a tape measure to investigate the worms in greater depth. Older children use water and cardboard tubes to build volcanoes in the sand area. They excitedly tell staff about the lava and explain that the volcano is 'extinct'.

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need to do better?

n Children have daily opportunities to be active and choose whether to play indoors or outdoors. Toddlers are exceptionally independent. They dress themselves in waterproof clothes, and outdoor boots. Children show good control and coordination as they push wheelbarrows, climb and run outdoors. Children demonstrate excellent hygiene routines, such as cleaning their hands after blowing their nose. Staff expertly weave the importance of healthy eating and dental hygiene through incidental conversations and stories. This helps to develop children's understanding of keeping healthy. n Staff understand the importance of supporting children's communication and language skills. They help children who speak English as an additional language to communicate effectively. Children access books independently. They know that they can find out information from books. For example, when children want to find out a fact about volcanos, they suggest looking in the volcano book. Staff

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need to do better?

speak directly and clearly to children and give them opportunities to think for themselves and express their ideas. Staff introduce new words, such as 'compact' and 'replica'. This helps to develop children's communication skills. n Staff plan an ambitious, exciting curriculum, which is designed to give children a wealth of experiences. Staff regularly observe as they play with the children. Staff are well qualified and experienced. Overall, teaching is good and, occasionally, outstanding. However, some staff do not always specifically link

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need to do better?

8 March 2022 what they want children to learn to the activities that they provide. n Partnership with parents is strong. They are well informed of how their child is progressing. Staff send information regularly through an online system. They hold regular parent meetings and give feedback to parents verbally each day. Staff share suggestions of activities for parents to carry out at home. Parents speak very positively about the nursery and the progress their children have made there. Parents comment that the setting makes them feel like their input is important. They also comment that their child feels 'so secure and loved at the setting'. n Staff provide children with a rich set of experiences, which promote an excellent understanding of the wider world. For example, children learn about planting and growing as they visit the local environmental project. Furthermore, staff teach children about artists from around the world. Staff introduce children to a

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need to do better?

variety of cultural experiences. Children taste new foods and look at books to learn about India. This helps children to understand about people and communities beyond their own. n The leadership team are highly reflective. The leaders are good role models, they strive for high-quality, inclusive care and learning. Staff well-being is paramount. They have regular meetings to discuss the setting and share good practice. Leaders know their staff's strengths and areas for development and use this knowledge to organise staff training and development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. They know the possible signs of abuse and what to do should they have concerns about a child's welfare. Staff understand the procedures to follow if they are concerned about the practice of another member of staff. Staff can recognise a wide range of signs and symptoms of abuse, including those who may be at risk of female genital mutilation or radicalisation. Staff provide a safe environment for children. They carry out regular risk assessments. Staff teach children how to keep themselves safe. For example, they ask children to risk assess their environment before climbing on plastic crates.

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should:

n build on staff's knowledge of the curriculum intent, so they are clear what skills and knowledge they want children to gain from all experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY389945 Local authority Leeds Inspection number 10117657 Type of provision Childcare on 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 12 Number of children on roll 16

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Information about this early years setting

Oakwood Acorns registered in 2009. The nursery employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold relevant qualifications at level 3. In addition, two members of staff hold an appropriate qualification at level 5. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 50 weeks a year. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for 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 nominated individual and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector carried out joint observations of an activity with the nominated individual. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

8 March 2022 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

8 March 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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