Little Acorns Day Nursery and Montessori School

Inspection of Little Acorns Day Nursery and Montessori School 208b Broadway, Yaxley, PETERBOROUGH PE7 3NT

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Staff demonstrate a genuine warmth and sense of caring towards each child. They know children exceptionally well and use their expert knowledge to provide a welcoming, homely environment, where children play and learn happily. Children especially love exploring in the garden, where they show how well they have learned to collaborate and negotiate with one another. Staff know just when to join children in their games and show high-quality teaching as they playfully extend and enhance children's activities. This helps children to remain deeply focused and thoroughly absorbed in their chosen activities for a considerable time.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff implement a rich curriculum that embraces children's interests and builds on their abilities over time. They plan targeted activities to stimulate children's senses and develop the fundamental skills they need to make progress and learn. Children thoroughly enjoy undertaking these focused, yet playful tasks, in a calm and quiet area of the nursery. For example, children learn to carefully fill containers and use squeezy bottles to squirt water. This helps to develop children's muscles and refine their abilities to manipulate objects. Children flourish at the nursery and when the time comes, they have the skills and attributes they need for school.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and managers have high expectations. They readily work alongside staff, which gives them an excellent overview of the daily achievements and challenges. This results in a shared determination by the whole team to do their best for each child attending. Staff thoroughly enjoy their work and are well supported to continually enhance their professional skills. Leaders and managers recognise and truly value each individual staff's contribution to the team. They know how, together, they can make a difference for the families in their community. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive excellent support in their early years. Staff are highly skilled at using additional funding to implement tailored plans to make sure children can develop and feel emotionally secure in their surroundings. Partnerships with parents and other professionals are embedded in practice. Staff ensure everything is in place to support

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need to do better?

children's transitions to school, when the time comes. n Staff plan and implement exciting group activities that capture children's attention effectively. Teaching is exceptional at these times. Children know what is expected of them and sit happily absorbed in what is happening. Children remember what they have learned before as they anticipate 'What's in the box?' or become very excited as staff demonstrate simple experiments. Staff recognise how, for some children, this is a great achievement as they are developing an ability to work alongside others.

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need to do better?

30 August 2024 n Staff demonstrate a consistently high level of teaching as they play with the children. They introduce new words into their interactions and give children the time they need to respond. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported very well and quickly copy what they have heard. For example, children point to the content of their toy trucks and say 'sand' for the first time. n Staff understand the importance of children gaining independence and, from the start, teach children to do things for themselves. Younger children confidently feed themselves and are mastering the use of cutlery. Older children are accomplished and happily serve themselves and their friends with their chosen foods. Staff are excellent role models, resulting in children swiftly learning good manners and respect for one another. Children are confident and happy at nursery. They have firm attachments to their key person, and this gives them

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need to do better?

reassurance when they feel tired or simply need a cuddle. n Parents are valued partners at the nursery. They share the highest of praise about the staff team and how they go 'above and beyond' of what is expected of them. Parents say they have regular feedback about their children's experiences and how approachable and caring the staff team are. Parents make reference to feeling 'like we joined a family', when their children first start attending.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY409528 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10359932 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 64 Number of children on roll 70 Name of registered person Little Acorn Day Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01733 244000 Date of previous inspection 10 December 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Little Acorns Day Nursery and Montessori School registered in 1995 and is privately owned. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 8am until 5.30pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. It offers a breakfast club between 7am and 8am and late hours between 5.30pm and 6pm on request. The nursery provides funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year- old children. There are currently 19 staff working directly with the children. Of these, 16 hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 2 or above. The provider is a qualified Montessori teacher.

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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 managers and has taken that into account in their evaluation. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the provider and manager and discussed how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the provider, manager, staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector and manager completed a joint evaluation of an activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector spoke with parents and read emails sent for the purpose of the inspection. The inspector took account of parents' views.

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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

30 August 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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