Acorn Day Nursery

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

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children show they are happy and secure in this welcoming nursery. Staff have high expectations for all children. They are positive role models and show children that they enjoy learning. Children reflect this attitude and are excited about their play and learning. For example, they add soapy liquid to puddles and work out that if they jump in them, bubbles appear. Children gain new skills and knowledge and have time to practise them. For example, staff members talk with them about sticking feathers 'at the top and low down at the bottom of the picture'. Children later remember this as they play with toy aeroplanes, saying they go 'high up, come down to land'.

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The provision is good

Children gain a knowledge of their community, for example, on regular visits to the library and to watch the trains. They enjoy looking at their family photos in each room. These help to reassure children and offer opportunities to discuss different family traditions and lifestyles. Children are kind and considerate towards one another. For instance, when children state they need candles for a pretend cake, others pass them small sticks. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they discuss road safety when out walking. Staff support children to understand healthy practices, such as the importance of good oral hygiene.

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need to do better?

n The management team responded positively to the actions set at the last inspection. They have involved staff in planning and implementing changes. This has significantly improved the outcomes for children, and they now make consistently good progress. n Staff report that they are well supported. They receive regular supervision, and the management team offers them practical support in completing further training. For example, staff now fully understand how to assess children's progress and plan interesting, challenging play opportunities, which aid children in taking the next step in their learning. n Thorough monitoring procedures support the manager in ensuring, that all children make good progress. She quickly highlights any weaker areas in their learning and supports staff to take action to address these. The management team has a good knowledge of each child. They use additional funding effectively to promote their development.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit greatly from involvement in national and local initiatives. For example, they find out about their town and discover that it is built on chalk and flint. They talk confidently about how flint was used to make tools and how chalk is still used to make talcum powder and medicines. Older children describe the 'cretaceous period' and how dinosaurs lived at this time. n Staff recognise the importance of children developing good communication skills.

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need to do better?

15 November 2022 They talk clearly to children, helping them to learn new vocabulary and build sentences. This approach positively supports children who speak English as an additional language. Older children describe favourite books, eagerly remembering the story and recalling new words they have learnt, such as 'nocturnal' and 'corncrake'. n Staff work well with other professionals, exchanging information and ensuring that children's needs are understood. This particularly aids children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Additionally, staff know the children well and confidently tailor their practice and the environment to meet children's needs. For instance, staff make large picture cards to aid communication and help children make choices about their play. n The routines for older children during periods of transition, such as lunchtime and when moving between rooms, are not always well organised. At this time,

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need to do better?

children become restless, and the noise levels increase. This makes it difficult for children to listen and engage. n Parents speak highly of the nursery and report that they appreciate the good communication with staff so that they always know what their children have been doing. However, staff do not gather as much information as possible from parents about what their children have been learning and doing at home in order to build on this and extend children's learning further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff demonstrate a thorough knowledge of safeguarding, completing regular training to keep this up to date. They understand how to recognise possible concerns in children's lives and know which professional to report these to without delay. Staff know the process to follow to report any concerns about a staff member's ongoing suitability. They understand wider safeguarding concerns, such as radicalisation. Staff appreciate the potential risks associated with use of the internet and take appropriate action to protect children.

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should:

n support staff to better manage older children's needs during periods of transition, such as mealtimes and when moving between rooms n extend the opportunities for parents to provide information about their children's learning and development at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY233564 Local authority Luton Inspection number 10225682 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 66 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Fisher, Christiane Elisabeth

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reference number

Telephone number 01582 574390 Date of previous inspection 26 January 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Acorn Day Nursery registered in 2002. The nursery employs ten members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the nursery and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector observed staff interaction with children during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n Meetings were held between the inspector, the manager and the nursery owner. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times 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

15 November 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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