Little Acorns Pre-School

Inspection of Little Acorns Pre-School Little Acorns Pre-school, Kingsnorth Recreation Centre, Field View, Kingsnorth, Ashford TN23 3NZ

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children thrive at this inviting and welcoming nursery. They separate from their parents well and show enthusiasm as they enter and choose from a variety of engaging activities. Staff build strong relationships with the children they care for. For example, they encourage children to say good morning to each other. They show children the effect that their words and actions can have on one another. They model how to be kind and considerate. This supports children to learn to share, take turns and begin to identify how others may be feeling.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff provide activities that consider interesting themes and topics. For example, they set up activities to explore planets and link these to various aspects of learning. Children are creative with collage materials and learn to cut and join these to their paper. In addition, they draw rockets and are encouraged to copy the numerals to count backwards from 10. The curriculum is ambitious and has a strong focus on literacy. For example, staff read familiar stories to children with expression and vibrancy. They encourage children to repeat words and phrases, which supports children with learning new vocabulary.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff interact well with children during their child-led play. They model the correct use of language and join in with role play. For example, children are invited to the pretend petrol station, where they can refuel their cars. Staff help them guide the cars through the carwash and support them to wash their vehicles with warm, soapy water. Children giggle as staff promote confidence and collaborative play. n Staff plan interesting activities for the daily, adult-led group times. Children enjoy listening to stories and take part in the session by holding the corresponding animal puppet from the text. However, staff do not always use this time to ensure that the learning is purposeful and tailored to meet all children's needs at varying stages of their development. n The special educational needs coordinator is highly skilled and works closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that the individual needs of children

p.2

need to do better?

are fully met. The nursery benefits from a small sensory room, which is used regularly for intervention sessions. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress towards closing any gaps in learning. For example, staff use targeted strategies to help children with an identified speech delay to make good steps to improve while they wait for external support from a speech and language therapist. n Children take part in a variety of different activities in the large outdoor space. They are physically active as they run, cycle, balance and climb. Staff promote a healthy lifestyle as they discuss the benefits of making balanced and nutritious

p.2

need to do better?

4 October 2023 choices about food, during mealtimes. n Staff take responsibility for specific areas of the provision and help to ensure that resources are appealing and renewed. This supports children to engage in valuable experiences during free-play times. However, these activities are less reflective of the wider world, or their own and others' varying backgrounds. This has an impact on how well children's differences and backgrounds are promoted. n Parents share their praise for the leaders and staff at the nursery. They say they feel reassured that the staff know their children well and appreciate the regular updates on their children's progress. Parents are grateful for the advice given to them to support important aspects of their children's learning at home, such as language development. This means that children receive a consistent approach towards making the best possible progress. n Staff work well as a team. They are respectful of each other and the

p.2

need to do better?

responsibility to contribute to the high-quality experiences that children receive. This helps to ensure that children's needs are met by kind and attentive staff. Staff share that they feel valued and know that they can approach leaders to support with improving their own professional development. For example, they access further training regularly.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

All practitioners know and understand their role and responsibility to safeguard children. They demonstrate the processes to follow if they have concerns about a child or the conduct of a member of staff. Practitioners can identify signs and indicators of children who might be at risk, such as of female genital mutilation or radicalisation. All staff know how to report their concerns outside of the nursery management if they felt that they were not being listened to about important aspects of child protection. Risk assessments are effective in ensuring that the premises are safe, clean and fit for purpose.

p.3

should:

n improve the organisation of group times, to ensure that children engage in purposeful learning experiences that suit their age and stage of development n strengthen opportunities for children to learn about the lives and backgrounds of others, to enhance their understanding and appreciation of what makes them unique.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2690269 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10310438 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Little Acorns Pre-School

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01233 503843 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Acorns Pre-School re-registered in 2022. It is situated in Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent. The pre-school is open from 8.45am to 3pm, Monday to Friday during term time. The pre-school employs 13 members of staff, nine of whom hold relevant qualifications from level 2 to level 6. The pre-school provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued 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 Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out joint observations of a group activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

4 October 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6