Partou Little Acorns Day Nursery & Pre-School

Inspection of Little Acorns Private Day Nursery 279 Bolton Road, Atherton, MANCHESTER M46 9HG

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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 prosper at this homely nursery. They look forward to coming and chatter excitedly about what games and resources they are going to play with. They are keen to spend time with their many friends. Children enjoy their learning and benefit from the ambitious curriculum that leaders have designed. They develop important knowledge because of staff's purposeful teaching. Children become curious and able thinkers. They learn through the well- organised learning activities to have a go at tricky tasks with patience and endurance.

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The provision is good

Children profit from the well-considered, wider learning opportunities that staff provide. For example, staff take children to swimming lessons and on regular outings to explore nature.

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The provision is good

Children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), receive the help and guidance that they need from skilful, supportive staff. They develop a sense of belonging because staff make sure that all children are fully included in each aspect of nursery life and experience success.

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The provision is good

Children settle quickly and learn to follow the daily routines that leaders have established. They behave well because of leaders' and staff's high expectations. Staff gently and expertly explain and remind children of the rules for behaviour, where needed. Children learn to respect other children's choices.

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need to do better?

n Leaders provide a meaningful curriculum that helps children, including children with SEND, to learn the key information that they need to know. Leaders guide staff to know when it is best to teach children essential knowledge. Staff consider children's needs and interests carefully and arrange well-thought-out, meaningful learning activities. n Staff use their expert knowledge of each child's development and learning to tune in to their needs. They know each child's interests in detail and support these well. Staff use assessment strategies carefully. They identify quickly and accurately when children are learning successfully, as well as when they may need additional support. Children with SEND receive the extra help that they need from staff, such as when learning to communicate by using sign language. n Leaders ensure that children eat healthily at the nursery. The on-site cook prepares freshly cooked meals, such as fish curry with rice, that children eat

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need to do better?

keenly. However, some staff do not organise the change from lunchtime to play activities effectively. This leads to some children feeling insecure and wandering around, unsure of what staff expect of them.

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need to do better?

11 July 2023 n Leaders have established books, songs and rhymes as a successful feature of their curriculum. Babies adore snuggling in with their key person as they explore a diverse range of sensory board books. Older children learn the storyline and plots of stories as staff retell their favourite tales. Children learn that books and stories can bring joy and fascinating new information. n Leaders make sure that staff understand the areas of learning that they teach. For example, leaders support staff's knowledge of early mathematics. Staff expertly teach older children to count in multiples when using a range of objects. Children are thrilled when they discover that the last number word that they say is the total number in the group. They learn essential knowledge of mathematics and discover that learning numbers is fun. n Staff provide children with varied learning opportunities that help them to

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need to do better?

become independent and confident. For example, children learn how to pull on their own wellington boots and all-in-one rain suits. Children even provide support to other children who find zips difficult. They show great satisfaction in solving problems and are highly motivated to learn even more. n Leaders are experts at making sure that the nursery runs smoothly and that staff are well supported in their work. They meet regularly with staff to discuss their teaching of the curriculum and their training needs. This helps staff to openly share the challenges and joys of being a key person for children and babies. Staff feel valued and supported. They appreciate being a part of the team. n Parents say that bringing their child here is like 'leaving them with a trusted family member'. They value the support they receive from the knowledgeable staff to help them to support their child's learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders ensure that staff understand their safeguarding training well. They make sure that staff follow the nursery's safeguarding policy and procedures effectively. Leaders and staff know what actions they must take if they are concerned about a child's welfare. They prioritise the safety of children at the nursery. Leaders develop professional relationships with other agencies to support children's safety and well-being. Staff successfully help children to act safely, such as when using the banister to come down the stairs in nursery.

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should:

n encourage staff to effectively prepare children for transitions within the daily routine so children know what is expected of them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY330412 Local authority Wigan Inspection number 10300127 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 75 Number of children on roll 121 Name of registered person Just Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01942 896102 Date of previous inspection 19 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Little Acorns Private Day Nursery registered in 2006 and is owned by Just Childcare Limited. The nursery employs 26 members of childcare staff. Of these, 20 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from 7.15am until 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, with the exception of bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n Leaders and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke with children to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector talked with staff during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with leaders. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

11 July 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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