Acorn Family Centre

Inspection of Acorn Family Centre Askham Grange Prison, Main Street, Askham Richard, YORK YO23 3FT

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled at this friendly nursery. They are greeted by warm and caring staff. Activities that children enjoy are provided, which helps children to settle quickly. For example, children enjoy listening to stories and staff sing songs. Children's behaviour is good. Staff kindly remind children to say 'please' and 'thank you'. This helps children to learn good manners from a young age.

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The provision is good

Young children enthusiastically explore stimulating activities. For instance, staff prepare a tray with animals and interesting materials. Children eagerly stomp the animals through crackers and cereals, listening to the crunching sounds. Staff help to expand children's language skills as they do this. For example, staff repeat words such as 'crunch'. Children are inquisitive to feel a selection of textures and smell the scents of herb plants. They learn to use their senses to understand and explore their activities and environment.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate confidence when practising their physical skills. For example, they competently play on the ride-on toys. Staff teach children to do things for themselves whenever possible. For example, they help young children to wash their hands for snack and teach children to put their own coats on for outdoor play. Staff help to prepare children well for future transitions.

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need to do better?

n Clear procedures are in place for the safe recruitment and vetting of staff. Staff are well qualified in their roles. They have individual discussions with the manager and attend regular team meetings. This helps to develop staff's effectiveness in working with children and helps to improve their teaching skills. Management ensure that they are always available to listen to staff. Staff well- being is of extreme importance. n The management team is committed to continuous improvement. It reviews the quality of the provision and accurately identify priorities for development. For example, staff have reflected on snack times in the nursery and have provided a more homely environment. This helps children to feel more settled. n Staff update their knowledge in a range of areas. For example, staff have developed their understanding of children's emotional health and well-being. They identify training that they feel will have a positive impact on the families

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need to do better?

who attend. There are plans in place to further develop staff's understanding of the way children learn. n Staff observe and assess children's development effectively. They use children's next steps in development to plan activities to engage children. For example, staff plan music sessions from external agencies, which help to develop children's language and creativity skills. Children enjoy listening to songs and

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need to do better?

17 September 2024 smile at the monkey and crocodile puppets. On some occasions, learning intentions when children choose to access the outdoor area are less focused on strengthening children's learning. Nonetheless, children are highly curious and enthusiastic learners overall. n On entry, staff ask parents for a range of information about their children. This helps them to find out about individual needs and uniqueness. For example, staff gather key words for children who speak English as an additional language. Staff use a range of information to plan to meet children's individual needs from the outset. n Parents comment that their children enjoy attending and staff know them well. They feel that staff provide a welcoming environment. Staff have recently introduced groups for the parents to attend. for example a cooking club. This helps to involve parents in their children's care and learning in the nursery.

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need to do better?

n Children's understanding of healthy lifestyles is supported well overall. For example, they are offered healthy fresh food and access daily fresh air. Children enjoy occasional trips to supermarkets, parks and other open spaces. However, methods used to increase children's knowledge of the importance of good oral health and the care of their teeth are not yet embedded to fully support children's learning. n Children benefit from playing with a wide range of high-quality, well-organised resources which are easily accessible to them. Staff provide children with opportunities to extend their literacy skills. For example, they encourage children to make marks on paper.

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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 plan and implement the curriculum more effectively, particularly when children choose to learn outdoors n strengthen opportunities offered to help to develop children's understanding of the importance of oral health.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2686238 Local authority York Inspection number 10354731 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 11 Number of children on roll 3 Name of registered person Action For Children Developments Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01904772078 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Acorn Centre registered in 2022 and is located in York. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. They close a few days over the Christmas period. Sessions are from 8am until 5pm.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector held discussions with the management team and staff about the design of the curriculum and how it is being implemented. n The inspector observed staff practice and their engagement with children throughout the inspection. She spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with a member of the management team to assess the impact of staff's teaching on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their verbal views. n The inspector viewed all areas of the premises used by the children. n The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of staff working with children.

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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

17 September 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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