Acorns In Harrogate

Inspection of Acorns In Harrogate Hookstone Chase Community Centre, Hookstone Chase, HARROGATE, North Yorkshire HG2 7DJ

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled at the nursery. Staff recognise the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children's development. They have sensibly prioritised children's personal, social and emotional development. The success of this is evident throughout the setting. Children are relaxed, confident and very well behaved. Toddlers are learning to be kind and they enjoy singing a 'please and thank you' song.

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The provision is good

Children's confidence levels show that they feel safe. Younger children doze contentedly on their key-person's lap and readily approach them for comfort. They confidently explore their environment. They have great fun developing their skills as they scoop the edible sand or stack the shapes. Older children are confident and keen to speak to the inspector and tell them about their nursery. They say that they like their nursery because the staff are nice.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is further supported through well-rehearsed routines that also support their learning. For example, toddlers are settled as they get ready for lunch because they know what is going to happen next. Older children find their named place at the lunch table. They talk about the letters in their name as they patiently wait their turn to line up with their tray and collect their cutlery.

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need to do better?

n Staff undertake accurate assessments of children's learning. They delight in children's progress and developing personalities. Children make good progress. Staff work closely with other agencies. This helps children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to receive the extra support they need. They quickly begin to catch up with their peers. n Children become confident communicators because they know that staff will listen to them. Staff are attentive to children's spoken and non-verbal communication. Older children are mostly confident to speak in front of a large group. However, at times, planned next steps for children's language development are not as focused as they could be. For example, it is not always shared which new sound, word or song, children need to learn and practise. This means that some staff, and sometimes parents, are not able to maximise children's learning. n Managers lead a stable staff team. On the whole, leaders have a good oversight

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need to do better?

of the quality of provision. They recognise when aspects of the provision require further development. They strive to put plans in place to improve matters. Both the baby room and toddler room are particularly well supported. However, monitoring is not as robust as it could be. There are minor inconsistencies in how well the curriculum is delivered, both indoors and outdoors.

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need to do better?

20 June 2023 n Children enjoy the healthy, home-cooked meals, which include vegetables, each day. Staff remind them to drink their water to keep their brains and bodies hydrated. Older children enjoy being active outdoors in the fresh air, whatever the weather. They learn to put their own coats and boots on ready to go outside. Staff encourage toddlers to listen to the sound of the rain on the roof of the shelter. Children experiment by pouring the water down the guttering. They persevere for some time to ride the balance bicycle. Older children say they like climbing and balancing outdoors. This approach promotes children's health and their physical development. n Staff introduce mathematical concepts and number at every opportunity. Younger children learn to match the shapes and colours on the jigsaws. Older children are invited to vote for their favourite story book by putting their counter into a bowl next to their chosen book. Staff skilfully invite them to predict which

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need to do better?

bowl holds the most counters. They go on to count them to check if their predictions are correct. Children count very well. n Children develop an interest in books and stories. For example, babies spontaneously crawl to reach their favourite book. They spend considerable time mimicking the faces they see. They smile and pout at the pictures of the babies. The most able children can recount parts of the story they have just heard and talk about the characters in the book.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders prioritise regular safeguarding and first-aid training. Staff say this is very beneficial, particularly those who have had less experience. Leaders and staff know the children and their families very well. They are confident they would notice if a family was struggling and would make sure they get the help they need. Staff understand the signs that could indicate that a child might be suffering harm outside the setting. They understand the role of the local authority and how to contact them. Children's confidence in their relationships with staff is further protection of their welfare.

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should:

n further improve children's vocabulary and pronunciation by making sure that all staff and parents know what children need to learn and practise n continue to develop systems for monitoring the quality of provision so that the intended curriculum is implemented more consistently across all areas of the provision.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY546961 Local authority North Yorkshire Inspection number 10290427 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 118 Name of registered person Acorns-In-Eldwick Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01274511572 Date of previous inspection 13 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Acorns In Harrogate registered in 2017. The setting employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold a qualification at level 3. The setting is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm. The setting offers funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery, and they included staff in discussions about the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to children, parents and staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector looked at a sample of documents and records. This included evidence of the suitability of staff working in the provision and a range of other documentation required for the safe and effective management of the provision.

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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

20 June 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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