Little Acorns (Colleton) Pre-school

Inspection of Little Acorns (Colleton) Pre-school ABC Building, Colleton Drive, Twyford, Berkshire RG10 0AX

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children settle extremely well. Staff have an in-depth understanding of their key- person roles, and this ensures that children feel safe and secure. Children are reassured throughout the day by nurturing staff. Children visibly enjoy cuddles with them.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are exceptionally motivated and eager to learn in the welcoming and well- maintained environment. Staff have high expectations for the children to achieve. They provide a rich and varied curriculum tailored to children's individual needs and abilities. For example, children wrap up parcels with Christmas paper; they independently use sticky tape and scissors as they work out how much paper they will need. When the paper they have cut is not big enough, staff challenge the children to think about what they need to do next to solve the problem. Children take time to think and respond to the challenge and are delighted when they solve the problem independently.

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The provision is outstanding

Children make the most of the exceptionally well-resourced outside area. Staff skilfully adapt it to children's individual needs and interests. For example, when staff observe children transporting soil from the mud kitchen to the role-play kitchen area, they relocate the resource, enabling children to fully build on their interests.

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need to do better?

n The buzz of learning is evident in every part of the pre-school. This highly inclusive setting makes sure that all children make progress no matter how small the steps. Parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are incredibly positive about the pre-school. n The manager and deputy managers are inspirational to the staff, leading by example. There are excellent procedures in place to make sure that staff have regular meetings on an individual and group basis. Training opportunities are provided on a variety of subjects to help staff in their role. For example, staff have recently attended training to increase their understanding of autism. They are using the information they have gained to improve outcomes for children, such as planning new experiences and resources. Staff place the child at the centre of every discussion and decision. This attention to detail ensures that all

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need to do better?

children, including children with SEND, achieve the best possible outcomes. n Staff are very clear about what they want children to achieve, and they work in excellent partnership with parents to ensure children's well-being and development are supported at home. Behaviour is excellent. Children are aware of the impact their behaviour can have on others, and this is demonstrated, as all children play cooperatively together.

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need to do better?

15 December 2022 n Staff develop children's imagination and confidence in unique ways. For example, children make up their own stories using props provided for them in a basket. As they choose well-known characters, they tell a member of staff what is happening. The story is scripted by a member of staff, who theatrically reads it back to the children. Children are incredibly proud of their stories and eagerly wait their turn to do the activity again. n Children are encouraged to be highly independent. They manage their own lunch bags, needing little help from adults. Children feel a sense of pride when they have achieved something they have been working on. For example, they show pride when they are able to put their own coats on and write their name. n Staff gather detailed reports from parents when children first start, to identify what children already know and can do. Parents are extremely complimentary

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need to do better?

about the pre-school. They praise the settling-in period and are delighted with the 'rapid progress' their children make. n Staff report feeling very supported, commenting that the manager listens to their views. The manager monitors staff's workloads and regularly evaluates when any changes need to be put in place. Staff feel this is beneficial to their well-being and mental health. n Staff expertly bring stories to life. Children are highly attentive and join in with rhyming refrains and predict storylines. Children learn about sounds and how they can make sounds with their bodies. For example, they 'stomp' and 'stamp' like dinosaurs and 'roar' and 'snap'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have an in-depth knowledge of how to keep children safe. They are aware of signs and symptoms of different forms of abuse and understand how to record disclosures accurately and in a timely manner. They know who to contact if they have a concern about a colleague, following the setting's whistle-blowing policy. Staff understand and know the signs of safeguarding issues, such as county lines, female genital mutilation and radicalisation. Leaders ensure that staff's safeguarding knowledge is up to date during supervision sessions and staff meetings. They support staff in a detailed induction process and complete vetting procedures to check their suitability to work with children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2601997 Local authority Wokingham Inspection number 10251588 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Little Acorns (Colleton) Pre-school CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01189321629 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Acorns (Colleton) Pre-School CIO registered in 2020. It is located in Twyford, Berkshire. It opens Monday to Thursday, from 8.45am to 5.45pm, and on Friday, from 8.45am to 3.15pm, term time only. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two-, three-and four-years old. A total of 20 members of staff are employed to work with children, 17 of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications. The manager and four staff hold qualified teacher status, and a further 11 staff hold a relevant childcare qualification at level 3.

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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 manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector talked to staff 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 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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