The Acorn Nursery School

Inspection of The Acorn Nursery School St. Johns Church, Lansdowne Crescent, LONDON W11 2NN

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy and relaxed. They are excited to arrive at this welcoming nursery. Children greet the staff they know very well and immediately begin to chat to their friends. They develop close bonds with the caring and warm staff. Children play with activities that are meticulously planned by staff to reflect the children's individual interests. They are inquisitive learners who explore the environment and choose their own play with confidence. For example, they use various art materials and role play using play dough, which they cut, squeeze and shape into ladybirds and caterpillars. Staff support children to develop good communication and language skills. For example, staff ask questions about their play and children respond appropriately. Children who need extra help to communicate begin to use single words and develop a keen interest in letters.

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The provision is good

Children relish playing outdoors. They have plenty of opportunities to be physically active. They use wheeled toys, jump, balance and kick and throw balls. Children behave well. Staff are skilled at supporting them to communicate their needs and regulate their emotions. Staff model good sharing and turn-taking. This helps children to play happily with their friends. Children learn to take care of their personal needs. They put on their coats and wash their hands after going to the toilet. This helps to ensure they have the self-help skills needed in preparation for school.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are positive. Parents highly value the care and educational experiences given to their children by the committed staff team. They comment positively about the emotional support that staff provide to their children during periods of change. The manager ensures staff maintain constant communication with parents. Staff inform parents of children's next steps and how to continue their learning at home. n Staff provide engaging opportunities for children to practise their mark making and develop early writing skills. Older children recognise numbers and begin to count. However, not all staff are confident in supporting children's mathematics skills. For instance, they do not consistently help children to count with accuracy. n Staff observe and assess children's progress, helping them to build on what they already know and can do. This includes children with special educational needs

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need to do better?

and/or disabilities. Staff work closely with parents to make referrals to seek support from other professionals for children with gaps in their development. Staff help children who speak English as an additional language to acquire good English speaking skills. Consequently, all children make good progress from their starting points. n Children learn about minibeasts. They use their imaginations outdoors to create

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need to do better?

19 May 2023 and build a house for them to live in. For example, they use leaves, twigs, soil and a box to keep the caterpillars, ants and ladybirds safe. n Communication and language are a key priority. Staff constantly repeat new words and encourage children to join in with rhymes and songs. Children show great interest in books. For instance, young children listen attentively to familiar stories. Older children confidently answer questions about what they can see on the page. During circle time, children share photos and stories about their home life and families. n Children have a range of opportunities to learn about themselves and others, and staff embrace the different backgrounds of the children and their families. For example, staff learn how to greet children and their parents in their home language. This helps children to develop a deep understanding of their uniqueness and supports high levels of mutual respect. Children enjoy dance,

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need to do better?

music, drama, yoga, football, forest school and Spanish sessions. n Staff and the children plant fruit and vegetables. Children learn how they grow and why it is important to look after the environment. They understand the importance of keeping themselves healthy and of eating a good diet. n The manager's self-evaluation of the nursery is thorough and includes the development of children's resilience, health and emotional well-being. She provides new opportunities to challenge and strengthen children's learning. Staff receive regular supervision and ongoing training to extend their knowledge and strengthen their skills. The manager respects staff's well-being and has an open- door policy. Staff feel well supported by the managers and are happy in their roles.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager ensures staff have a good understanding of how to recognise the signs and symptoms that would cause them to be concerned for a child's welfare. Staff understand what action to take if they have a concern about a child in their care. They are very clear on how to deal with allegations. Staff undertake safeguarding training and receive regular information updates to ensure knowledge remains current. Regular checks are undertaken to ensure the environment is safe for children to play. Children learn how to keep safe outdoors and when crossing the roads.

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should:

n develop a stronger understanding of how to support children's mathematics skills in accordance with their age and stage of development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2629553 Local authority Kensington and Chelsea Inspection number 10281139 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 112 Number of children on roll 112 Name of registered person Notting Hill Preparatory School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 02077272122 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Acorn Nursery School registered in 2021. It is situated in the Notting Hill area, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The nursery is open each weekday, from 9am to 4pm, and operates during school term time only. There are 20 members of staff, 14 of whom hold relevant early years qualifications ranging from level 3 to level 7.

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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 joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n Children spoke to the inspector during 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

19 May 2023 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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