Acorns Nursery

Inspection of Acorns Nursery St John's Centre, St John's Road, Oakley, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG23 7DX

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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

The dedicated, friendly staff team successfully creates a nurturing space where children's individuality is fostered to a high level. Children enjoy coming to nursery and benefit greatly from the individual attention they receive. Staff ignite children's curiosity and provide a range of motivating activities that engage children's initial interest well. Children show great determination in everything they do and strive to do their very best.

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The provision is good

Staff have clear expectations for children's behaviour. They act as good role models and support children to share, use good manners and follow the daily routine. Children have established strong relationships with each other. They take personal responsibility for looking after their friends. For example, when a child noticed that a staff member missed snack time, they thoughtfully created a snack bowl to make sure they were not left out. This gesture of kindness reflects the way staff teach children to behave towards each other in the nursery.

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The provision is good

The curriculum places a strong focus on literacy. Staff promote children's love for stories through animated story times. Children become enthralled as the story unfolds. They join in readily, chanting familiar phrases from their favourite stories, which are followed quickly by requests to hear the story again. Older children confidently write their names on their artwork with great success. All children, including those who are learning English as an additional language, are well supported to become confident communicators.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum is well planned and responsive to children's emerging needs. Staff engage positively with children as they join in their play and make useful observations of children's learning journey. However, staff's assessment of what children need to learn next does not necessarily reflect the most important aspect of children's learning that needs support. Additionally, staff's interactions are not focused precisely enough on challenging all children in their learning. Despite this, children make good progress overall and are well prepared for the next stage in their education, including school. n The programme for children's personal development is exceptionally strong. Staff place high priority on supporting children's good health. Children help to cultivate fruits and vegetables in their garden. They learn about healthy foods, with positive encouragement from staff at mealtimes to try new fruit and

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need to do better?

vegetable options. Staff help children to develop their confidence in self-care skills. Children show increasing levels of confidence as they change into outdoor shoes and find sun hats for their friends before going outside to play. n Children are inquisitive learners who develop high levels of self-esteem. They

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need to do better?

18 June 2024 show an eagerness to join in and have a go, although sometimes give up when the activity lacks challenge. Staff create a well-established and predictable routine that supports children's sense of familiarity. There is a strong focus on promoting children's emotional well-being, which is a strength of the nursery. For example, training in emotional regulation has led to the creation of further cosy areas where children can talk through any worries they have with staff. Children receive sensitive support from their key person and learn to regulate their feelings well. n The provider is an effective leader, who holds high aspirations for her team. She holds an accurate evaluation of the provision and reflects insightfully on areas for improvement. The provider promotes a strong sense of teamwork that firmly centres around the belief that every child deserves the very best start in their education. Staff access training regularly and use this to good effect, as

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need to do better?

evidenced in their renewed focus on promoting children's resilience. n Staff foster effective partnerships with parents and carers. There is a good exchange of information to ensure that the children gain access to any additional support they need at an early stage in their development. Parents and carers are invited to participate in special events, such as a fathers' stay-and-play session. They receive daily information through a good verbal handover and have opportunities to attend regular parents' evenings. n The provider ensures good oversight of the progress children make, including those who may need some additional support. Staff work closely with external agencies to overcome any barriers to learning that children may face and to ensure children's safety. The provider ensures that all children have access to their full funding entitlement. Additional funding is used to good effect through the provision of a lending library with resources to further promote learning at

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need to do better?

home. The provider engages with community initiatives that benefit the families who attend, including those who promote positive mental health.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n focus staff's professional development on helping them identify and plan for the most important aspect of a child's learning n expand staff's confidence in implementing the curriculum for children, so they make clearer connections between the intent of activities and the level of challenge for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY346310 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10350538 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 14 Name of registered person Oakley Acorns Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07717 504 878 Date of previous inspection 11 February 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Acorns Nursery registered in 2007. It is located in Oakley, near Basingstoke, Hampshire. The provider works alongside two members of childcare staff and holds a level six qualification. All other members of childcare staff hold relevant qualifications to level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, during school term-time only. Sessions are from 9am to 3.45pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 9am to midday on Fridays. It offers care for children aged two years and over. The nursery provides funded early education 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 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 provider 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 inspector carried out a joint observation of a focus activity with the provider. n The inspector spoke with the provider about the leadership and management of the nursery. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took

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Inspection activities

account of their views. 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

18 June 2024 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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