Acorn Day Nursery Shenley

Inspection of Acorn Day Nursery Shenley Shenley Road, Milton Keynes MK5 6AB

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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

Leaders and staff know that for children to be ready to learn well, they first need to feel happy and safe. Leader therefore put in place a highly successful programme of 'settling-in' arrangements before children start to attend nursery. Where possible, they offer home visits to get to know children and their families. Children visit the nursery several times before they start, to help them get to know key staff and to become familiar with routines. This attention to detail successfully ensures that children settle quickly and show they feel very much 'at home' soon after starting. Staff use daily routines well to encourage good manner and kind behaviour.

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The provision is good

Leaders plan a programme of learning experiences that ignite children's interest. Staff deliver them with enthusiasm, helping children enjoy their learning. The curriculum of learning for children's language development is especially effective. Staff understand how important this aspect of learning is to children's overall progress. Over time, staff build children's vocabulary and understanding. Staff help babies make the transition for babbling to using recognisable words. Staff enter into thoughtful conversations with children, often using children's self-chosen play as a starting point for conversations. Staff accurately identify children who may need extra help to achieve to their best, and put in place targeted support to help close gaps in learning.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are very committed to providing high quality care and education. They lead their team well, supporting staff to gain new qualifications and further their teaching skills. They ensure staff feel valued and appreciated. This creates a very positive and happy environment, in which children thrive and develop positive attitudes to learning. n Staff provide children with a wide range of experiences that help them learn to look after, and appreciate, the natural world. Throughout the nursery staff organise lots of initiates to help children learn about sustainability and environmental responsibility. Children delight in checking in on the worms who are creating valuable fertiliser for the nursery garden. n Staff read to babies and children regularly, in ways that promote a love of books. Children enjoy snuggling in for stories. Staff encourage them well to listen stories to the end and to talk about what they hear and see.

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need to do better?

n Staff use numbers and some mathematical concepts during daily routines and when joining in with children's self-chosen play. However, the curriculum for mathematics is not planned and delivered in ways that ensures teaching in this area of learning consistently takes account of what children already know, and builds further on their existing mathematical knowledge.

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need to do better?

18 February 2025 n Babies receive the cuddles, soothing words, warm smiles and interactions they need to adapt very well to nursery life. Staff understand the value of following routines from home. Babies show real delight in the company of the kind and caring staff. High levels of emotional well-being continue to be evident in older children too. n Right from the start children are taught the skills they need to become increasingly independent. Staff teach babies how to blow their noses and the importance of disposing of tissues and washing hands afterwards. Children learn to feed themselves and to serve their own food. Younger children confidently put on their boots and coats, able to so because staff have taught them how to. n Children gain a positive view of following an active lifestyle. Staff enable children to spend lots of time learning outdoors. Staff are extremely good role models. Children learn from their example that being outdoors in the fresh air is a lot of

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need to do better?

fun. Staff ensure children have plenty of space and opportunities for energetic play, knowing the importance of this to children's good health. n Staff plan a rich programme of experiences that ensures children understand what makes them unique and to help children feel involved in their local community. Babies love looking at photos of their families with staff. Older children enjoy many trips out in the local community. They are taken swimming, visit libraries and donate toys to charity shops. n Partnership working is a real strength of the nursery. Parents are full of praise for staff. They appreciate the regular updates on their children's progress, which helps them continue with this learning at home. Staff who support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities form very effective working partnerships with other professionals to meet children's needs.

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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 develop further the planning and delivery of the curriculum for mathematical development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY542266 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10372680 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 48 Number of children on roll 69 Name of registered person Acorn Early Years Foundation

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reference number

Telephone number 01908 507282 Date of previous inspection 30 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Acorn Day Nursery Shenley re-registered in 2016 and is situated in Milton Keynes. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. The provider employs 15 members of staff. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The provide offer offers funded early education for children aged nine months and above.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector held meetings with the manager to find out about the leadership and management of the setting. n Parents shared their views and the inspector took these into account. n The inspector looked at a sample of key documentation.

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Inspection activities

18 February 2025 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 February 2025 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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