Acorn Pre School Group

Inspection of Acorn Pre School Group Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Road, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is compromised due to weaknesses in staff's knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures. Staff, including those with additional safeguarding responsibilities, do not follow the setting's procedures requiring them to share information with other professionals to keep children safe. In addition to this, leaders do not ensure that staff carry out the required training on child protection and paediatric first aid.

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The provision is inadequate

Children arrive happy and are eager to go into the pre-school to play. They develop secure relationships with the staff and confidently involve staff and other children in their play. Children are kind and considerate of each other. They share the toys and take turns fairly. Children learn to be independent and confident at managing their needs. They eagerly put their own coats on and practise doing their zips up, as they get ready to go outside. Children are curious and keen to learn new skills. For instance, they hold hands with staff to keep their balance as they walk across the stepping stones in the garden.

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The provision is inadequate

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents now drop their children at the door and do not enter the pre-school. However, staff greet children positively and make time to share information with parents to help children settle quickly.

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need to do better?

n Leaders do not ensure that all staff are familiar with safeguarding procedures or that at least one member of staff is trained in paediatric first aid and on the premises when children are present. Staff may not have current knowledge of what to do in the case of a child having an accident. n The leader and staff know the children and their families well. Staff implement a curriculum that uses their knowledge of the children's needs and interests to help them to make good progress. Staff support children's mathematical skills well. Children eagerly use number charts to measure themselves. They confidently talk about which number is bigger as they learn to compare sizes. n The leader and staff plan and provide an interesting and stimulating environment that captures children's imaginations. Staff play alongside children, engage them in play and extend their ideas. For instance, as children use the large building equipment to make a boat, staff talk to them about where they

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need to do better?

are going. Children excitedly make their own maps to help them find the buried treasure. n Parents say that they are happy and comment that their children really enjoy attending the pre-school. Parents say that the staff keep them well informed about their children's progress and support their learning well. n Staff promote children's literacy skills well. They skilfully engage children in

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need to do better?

31 March 2022 stories. Children listen well and confidently talk about the story as they anticipate what comes next. Staff support children to explore and learn about the different meanings behind print in books. For example, staff explain that capital letters show that the character is shouting. n Children benefit from fresh air and exercise. They enjoy using the large equipment in the garden to develop their physical skills, and to gain confidence in taking risks. Children carefully climb the equipment to use the slide, and take turns to balance on the large tyres. n Leaders and staff use good methods to monitor and assess children's progress. They put effective strategies in place to provide additional help for children who need more support with their learning. The leader recognises how additional funding can be used to support the children who are in receipt of it.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The leader, who is also the designated safeguarding lead, has not carried out the required training to help her to understand and carry out her role effectively. She does not ensure that staff are aware of the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare. Staff have a basic understanding of child protection matters. They do not understand how to act on their concerns or who to report to outside of their organisation. The designated safeguarding lead and staff do not ensure that they work in partnership with other professionals who are involved in children's care, to ensure that children are kept safe.

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Due date

ensure all staff, including the designated safeguarding lead, understand and follow the safeguarding procedures, including how to record and act on concerns about children's welfare 03/05/2022

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Due date

ensure that the designated safeguarding lead has completed the appropriate training to fulfil the role 03/05/2022

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Due date

ensure that there is at least one member of staff with a current paediatric first-aid certificate on the premises at all times. 03/05/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 132997 Local authority Bath and North East Somerset Council Inspection number 10125817 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Acorn Pre School Group Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01761416767 Date of previous inspection 7 May 2014

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Information about this early years setting

Acorn Pre School Group registered in 1981. It is a parent committee charitable pre- school and operates from the village hall situated in Paulton, near Bath. The pre- school is open on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 3pm, and on Tuesday from 9am to midday, during term time only. The parent committee employs three members of staff. Of these, one has an early years degree and two are qualified to level 3. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 of their evaluation of the provider. n The leader took the inspector on a learning walk and explained how she delivers her curriculum. n The inspector spoke to parents and took their views into consideration. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the leader. n The inspector spoke to children and staff throughout the inspection. n The inspector spoke to the leader and sampled some documentation.

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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

31 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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