Acre Wood Day Nursery (Arlesey) Ltd

Inspection of Acre Wood Day Nursery (Arlesey) Ltd Acre Wood Day Nursery, 47 Hospital Road, Arlesey SG15 6RH

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are confident individuals and eager to start exploring the activities staff have planned for them. Staff are very responsive to children's emotional needs. For example, babies crawl to staff for cuddles and reassurance. Older children eagerly invite staff into their play. These warm and nurturing interactions from staff help support children in feeling safe and secure. Staff have the same high expectations and ambitions for all children. They have adopted a curriculum that is based on children's individual interests and what they already know and can do. The carefully considered environment enables children to be independent learners as they make choices about their play. Older children enjoy voting for the book that they would like to learn about later in the day. This gives the children a sense of ownership over their vote and helps them understand that everyone has their own opinion.

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The provision is good

Staff model positive behaviours. They encourage children to take turns and play cooperatively. Children are beginning to understand their feelings and learning to manage their emotions. Staff regularly read stories to the children about the colour monsters. Children understand that the yellow monster is for happiness. Staff praise children's efforts and children readily celebrate their achievements. This helps build their confidence and reinforces their positive attitudes to learning.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the management team and staff have worked hard to put in place any necessary changes. Together with staff, the management team have made changes to the environment, teaching and daily routines. Staff speak positively about recent training that has helped them to develop their interactions with children. Staff say that they feel highly supported by the management team. They express how hard everyone has worked since the last inspection and how they have grown as a team. n Staff regularly discuss children's development with the management team. They identify children with special educational needs and/or disabilities promptly and work with other agencies to decide how to support the children. Additional funding is used to provide resources that meet children's learning needs. For example, the management team have converted a room into a calming, multisensory room to support children who can become overwhelmed at times.

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need to do better?

n The management team and staff have developed a curriculum that builds on what children know and can do. The staff team has a good understanding of what they want children to learn. They follow children's interests and plan exciting activities that children are eager to be involved in. Occasionally, some staff do not promote the planned learning intention to fully engage all children. n Staff provide good support for children's communication and language development. They get down to children's level and narrate as they play.

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need to do better?

5 July 2024 Children enjoy listening to stories. Younger children fill in gaps in familiar books and join in with repeated phrases. Older children recall what has happened and predict what is going to happen next. Staff help older children think about the differences between the author and the illustrator. n Younger children are beginning to understand about the world and mimic familiar experiences. They wrap the dolls in blankets and gently rock them to sleep. Older children learn about the natural world. They grow their own vegetables in the garden and harvest them when ready to eat. n Staff support children of all ages to develop their independence with self-help skills. Babies learn to feed themselves with a spoon. Younger children progress to a fork and self-serve their drinks. Older children continue to develop these skills and keenly serve themselves during mealtime. n Staff promote children's good health and encourage them to be physically active.

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need to do better?

All children enjoy lots of outdoor play in the fresh air. Staff help babies and young children to carefully balance and walk across planks. Older children practice their large arm movements as they draw on clipboards on the wall. n Parents describe the staff as 'amazing' and that the nursery is a very special place. They really appreciate coming into the children's learning environment to drop off and collect their children. Staff keep parents informed about children's achievements, and parents talk about children's experiences at home.

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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 support staff to promote specific learning intentions more effectively during planned activities to engage all children fully.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY498678 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10334828 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 51 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Acre Wood Day Nursery (Arlesey) Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01462 835550 Date of previous inspection 20 July 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Acre Wood Day Nursery (Arlesey) Ltd registered in 2016, having previously been registered since 2003. The nursery employs 12 members of staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 inspector observed activities indoors and outside and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector had discussions with staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n Children told the inspector about what they like to do when they are at nursery. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n A meeting was held between the inspector and the management team. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff.

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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

5 July 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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