Acorn at the Rowans

Inspection of Acorn at the Rowans The Rowans Family Centre, 13a Moorfoot, Fullers Slade, Milton Keynes MK11 2BD

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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 Not applicable

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The provision requires improvement

There is no clear intent for the curriculum that children follow. Consequently, the children do not consistently benefit from teaching helps them to build effectively on what they know and can do. The quality of teaching and children's learning are variable. In some instances, staff introduce children to new ideas. For example, staff explain to children that the salsa that they eat at lunchtime is also the name of a dance. They playfully move their bodies while explaining, which deepens children's understanding. On occasion, in the baby room, staff's time is taken up by completing care tasks out of the room and this affects the quality of interaction between staff and babies during this time. Children make good progress in their communication and language development. Staff support this aspect of their learning well and recognise when children do not make expected progress. There are plans in place to help children to catch up with any gaps in their learning.

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The provision requires improvement

Children settle well and are calm and content at the nursery. They separate from parents happily and are pleased to see their key person. Overall, key persons support children well. However, they do not always gather enough information from parents to enhance children's learning about the diverse world that they live in. Despite these weaknesses, staff are caring and children enjoy attending the nursery.

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need to do better?

n Despite the provider identifying a previous weakness in staff deployment, staff do not always follow good practice. There are brief occasions when staff are left with too many babies as care routines are carried out. Although staff are within hearing to keep children safe at these times, this compromises the quality of staff interactions and their ability to meet children's needs swiftly. n The provider does not suitably monitor the curriculum. The intent for the curriculum at the nursery is not clear or well understood by staff. Although staff can explain what children enjoy doing and the benefit of some activities, there is no cohesive plan for what children will learn. Therefore, staff do not know if children are sufficiently building on their knowledge and developing their skills for the future. n There are some action plans in place to support the ongoing quality of the nursery. However, the provider does not have fully effective oversight of the

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need to do better?

nursery to readily identify weak areas of practice and take rapid action to address these. n Children form close relationships with their key person and parents praise staff for the genuine care they show children. Staff comfort children and offer them reassuring warmth and affection. Babies follow a familiar routine with plenty of time for rest and sleep when needed. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

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need to do better?

1 December 2022 n All children develop their physical skills well. They have ample opportunities to be active and enjoy playing and learning outdoors. Staff talk to children about good food choices when eating and help them to learn about healthy lifestyles. n Key persons do not find out all necessary information about children's home lives. For example, they do not know the home languages that children speak, or what celebrations and festivals are important to them. Therefore, they do not have the knowledge needed to plan a curriculum that helps children to celebrate what makes them unique and individual or to learn effectively about the diverse world they live in. n Staff give children mixed messages about how to keep themselves safe when they play outside in the natural environment, for example, what they should do if they encounter berries and the rules for playing with wooden sticks. n Some staff display an exceptional awareness of how to support children with

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need to do better?

special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They have an extensive knowledge of the local area and how to support children and families. The provider has highly effective measures in place to support vulnerable families, including ensuring that all children have adequate warm clothing at the nursery and advising families about additional support services.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff, across the whole nursery, have a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. They can reliably identify what might indicate that children are at risk of harm and know what action they must take to report any concerns. The provider has robust procedures in place for the recruitment of staff to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. The provider has taken action to ensure that there are risk assessments in place to minimise any potential risks for children. Staff have suitable training to be competent and confident in delivering first aid to children if needed.

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Due date

ensure that staff deployment is always arranged to meet children's needs effectively 30/01/2023

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Due date

construct an effective curriculum that helps children to build on what they already know and can do and prepares them well for their future learning 30/01/2023

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Due date

1 December 2022 improve oversight and leadership to identify weaknesses in practice and take swift action to address these. 30/01/2023

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should:

n gather more information from parents about children's home lives and experiences to develop the curriculum and help children gain a better appreciation of diversity n provide children with consistent messages about the ways they can help to keep themselves safe, especially when playing and learning outdoors.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2679429 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10266046 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 55 Name of registered person Acorn Early Years Foundation

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reference number

Telephone number 07889540737 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Acorn at the Rowans registered in 2022 and operates from the Rowans Family Centre in Fullers Slade. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold recognised childcare qualifications at level 3 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language and children with SEND.

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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 This inspection was prioritised following a risk assessment process. n The inspector discussed the intent of the curriculum and observed its implementation during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and the early years manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n A joint observation was completed and discussed with the manager. n Parents were invited to share their views with the inspector. Several parents discussed their views during the inspection and the inspector took account of all feedback received.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the inspection.

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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

1 December 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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