Acorn Day Nursery Castlethorpe

Inspection of Acorn Day Nursery Castlethorpe 17 South Street, Milton Keynes MK19 7EL

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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

Children develop a sense of familiarity with the daily routines, as they quickly put their belongings away and join their friends in play. They are warmly welcomed by staff who are ready to engage in play. They talk to children about their morning and what children are looking forward to doing at nursery.

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The provision is good

Children's interests are important to staff. They talk with children about their likes and interest that inform their planning of a variety of activities. They provide learning opportunities that build on what children know and can do. For example, staff support children's learning through conversation and by asking questions. This helps build and develop children's thinking skills, as they focus on their chosen activity.

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The provision is good

Children are supported by staff in developing their physical skills well. Children develop their gross motor skills through climbing, balancing, and exploring large apparatus. Staff offer praise and encouragement that supports children's confidence in their physical skills. Children show pride and excitement, as they keep trying when exploring large equipment.

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The provision is good

Children develop positive attitudes towards their learning and behaviour. Staff teach children the expectations for behaviour and conduct. As a result, children are kind and caring towards their friends. They show respect for the environment and the toys and resources they play with. Staff model the behaviours they expect from children, they show care for each other and the children.

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need to do better?

n Managers work together with staff to develop and share a vision of what it is they want children to learn. They focus on what it is children already know and can do, building on their interests to support their next steps in learning. Staff work with parents to learn and understand children's starting points. They share information to support learning at home. n Overall, children recognise when they are happy in the setting. They talk about the things that they enjoy. For example, children are quick to show the toys and resources they like to play with. However, at times, children find it difficult to share resources and they become upset. Staff do not consistently help children to identify and regulate their feelings. For example, staff will redirect children's play, instead of talking through their feelings. This does not consistently support children to learn how to regulate their behaviour and resolve their own

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need to do better?

problems. n Overall, staff provide children with meaningful interactions that promote their learning. For example, staff hold regular conversations with children and model

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need to do better?

18 December 2024 language through story telling. Staff read with enthusiasm and introduce a wide range of vocabulary. This helps children develop their speaking and listening skills. However, not all interactions are of the same high quality. On occasion, staff do not provide children with the opportunities to draw from, and build on previous learning. For example, staff ask children about what they remember about the bugs they find in the garden. However, some staff are not consistent in providing the teaching to support sequenced learning. For example, at times staff are quick to move on to the next subject without providing opportunity for children discuss what they remember. This means that children are not able to share what they know. n Staff provide activities that provide challenge and encourage children to take appropriate risks through their play. Staff support children's skills through praise

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need to do better?

and modelling to help them succeed. For example, children explore a course where they learn to balance using their arms out like aeroplanes. They learn to negotiate the space around them. n Staff teach children about keeping themselves safe while on outings as they listen and watch staff to learn how to keep safe. Children know to hold hands and to walk together with the staff members caring for them as they visit the local school to spend time in their library. n Children learn about the world around them. They enjoy taking walks with staff around the village and learn about the local community and people who help them. Children enjoy caring for the environment and take part in litter picking. Staff teach children about keeping the community clean and tidy.

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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 enhance strategies to help children understand and manage their feelings to further support their emotional development n strengthen the quality of interactions, so that children have consistent opportunities to recall previous learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY543686 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10367524 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person Acorn Early Years Foundation

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reference number

Telephone number 01908 510222 Date of previous inspection 12 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Acorn Day Nursery Castlethorpe registered in 2017 and is situated in Castlethorpe, Milton Keynes. It operates from 7.30am to 6.15pm, throughout the year. The provider receives funding to provide free early years education to children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs 18 members of staff, 12 of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector carried out a learning walk and discussed the provider's early years curriculum. 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 inspector spoke to parents, children and staff at appropriate times throughout the day. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and discussed the teaching and learning. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took 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 December 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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