Little Acorns

Inspection of Little Acorns 55 New Cheltenham Road, Bristol, South Gloucestershire BS15 1TN

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children are happy and thrive at this exceptional setting. They develop wonderful relationships with the staff. Children demonstrate that they feel happy, safe and secure. They explore their environment with enthusiasm, delighting in exploring real-life construction materials. Babies explore their environment with enthusiasm and channel their energy into the exploration of the exciting activities available. Children's experiences are meaningful.

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The provision is outstanding

Children make rapid progress from their individual starting points. From an early age, children gain confidence in their physical skills. Children thrive from challenge and learn about personal risk management. For example, they climb the outdoor equipment and jump with confidence.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff plan an ambitious curriculum which covers all areas of children's learning and development. Staff value and respect children's opinions and listen carefully when children speak to them. Children's behaviour is exceptional. They are kind and considerate towards each other. For example, children delight in playing in 'Bugingham Palace'. They pass the tools to their friends. Children show high levels of enjoyment as they play and learn.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) exceptionally well. The manager and staff use the additional funding to ensure that children achieve the very best possible outcomes. As a result, all children make excellent progress from their individual starting points.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are ambitious at this friendly nursery. The manager values staff and uses robust procedures to support their well-being. Staff state that their colleagues are their 'work family'. The manager ensures that all staff receive regular supervision meetings and, as a result, practitioner's knowledge is developed over time. n Staff develop warm and nurturing relationships with children. Settling-in sessions are effective and meaningful. Staff use these sessions exceptionally well, which enables them to know children's interests. As a consequence, children are happy and thrive in their environment. n This is a language-rich environment. Children handle books with care and partake in storytelling with gusto. The most amazing storytelling is told, and staff use role play for children to be able to tell the story themselves. Staff model language extremely well and children show a very high level of engagement.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff use their observations of children well. They identify how

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need to do better?

23 September 2022 children learn best and plan learning experiences that build on what children already know, do and can remember. For example, children manipulate construction materials and use tools. This helps to develop the muscles they will need for later writing. n Children are very independent and staff encourage this. Children know how to serve and chop their own fruit. Snack time is social and enjoyable for all. Children serve themselves wholesome and nutritious food. Staff are responsive to children's needs. n Staff ensure children fully understand their expectations for behaviour. Children take turns, share resources and work together during activities. Staff praise children, telling them exactly what they have done well. Children are clear about what they have done or achieved. Children recognise the need for 'kind hands and walking feet'. n Staff have an amazing rapport with all children. Children delight in activities and

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need to do better?

have a high level of self-esteem. Staff encourage children and use positive praise. Staff nurture children in this setting. n All children, including those with SEND, make exceptional progress. The special educational needs coordinator works closely with the local authority, staff, parents and external professionals, using detailed assessments of children's individual needs. Staff skilfully implement children's individual education plans to close any gaps in children's learning. n Children learn about the world around them and benefit greatly from these opportunities. Children take part in local events. This helps to improve their understanding of the wider world and sparks their curiosity. For example, staff talked about the life and reign of the queen. Children took flowers to lay at the local park memorial in her memory. High priority is given to the children's emotional support. When children feel frustrated, they know they can use the

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need to do better?

cosy sensory space to help them calm down. n Babies and the youngest children form secure attachments with their key person. They learn in a calm and peaceful environment and have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the stimulating outdoor environment. Babies use sign language to develop their early communication skills and practitioners are very responsive to their needs.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers fully understand their role and responsibilities. All staff are fully aware of what to do if they have concerns about the welfare of a child. All staff, including the newest, have an excellent knowledge and understanding of the wider issues that may affect the safety and well-being of children. The manager has robust recruitment and induction procedures. Staff receive high-quality training. Staff are confident and know how to recognise and respond to signs of abuse. Staff carry out daily risk assessments that ensure children remain safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY305073 Local authority South Gloucestershire Inspection number 10234920 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 24 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Little Acorns Day Nursery Bristol Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0117 9606537 Date of previous inspection 24 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Little Acorns registered in 2005 and is located in Kingswood, Bristol. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 3 or level 4. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery receives funding to provide 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 setting 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 setting. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector, the manager and the special educational needs coordinator completed a learning walk together to discuss all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to several 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

23 September 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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