Little Acorns Padiham

Inspection of Little Acorns Padiham Chapel House, Victoria Road, Padiham, Burnley BB12 8RF

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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

Leaders have been responsive to the weaknesses identified at the last inspection. Staff now receive clear feedback about their practice and are supported through targeted training with a focus on the needs of the children. This has positively impacted on the implementation of the curriculum. Leaders have designed an aspirational curriculum that is implemented in a well-sequenced way throughout the nursery. They place high importance on supporting children's communication and language skills. Staff use their interactions to promote and extend children's language. They teach children familiar songs, and they sing these spontaneously together throughout the day. Staff enhance these experiences as they provide instruments and children eagerly shake and bang them along and join in with the words they know. Leaders and staff are aspirational for what all children can achieve, and they support all children to make good progress in their learning.

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The provision is good

Staff work closely as a team to provide a welcoming environment for the children. They develop strong relationships with children and their families. Staff show respect to the children as they ask permission before they wipe their noses or before they change their nappies. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Children develop strong bonds with each other. They show kindness as they say to their friends, 'Shall I help you?' as they complete puzzles. Children show consideration for the environment as they are encouraged to recycle food after mealtimes.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have implemented clear assessment procedures to monitor the impact of the curriculum on children's progress. They respond swiftly when they identify that children may benefit from extra help in their learning. Appropriate referrals are made and additional funding is used to support individual children's needs. Parents who have children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) talk positively about the nursery's commitment to multi-agency working. These positive links help all children, including children with SEND and those who receive additional funding, make good progress from their starting points. n Staff have a clear understanding of each child's next steps in learning. They plan engaging experiences that children enjoy. These activities build on children's knowledge. For instance, children who are being supported with early walking skills are provided with activities that encourage them to pull to standing and

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need to do better?

cruise between furniture. However, at times, staff try to focus on too many next steps within each activity. Consequently, staff are not always clear exactly what they intend for children to learn. n Children behave well. They listen to staff and join in with the daily routines. Staff use opportunities during children's play to label and encourage children to talk

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need to do better?

7 May 2025 about their feelings. However, at times, when children struggle to manage their behaviour, for example while they wait, staff do not always use these opportunities to further develop children's understanding of emotions. This does not support a consistent approach to supporting children to be able to recognise their own feelings and emotions. n Staff support children's hand-eye coordination superbly. They have consulted with the local schools and used this to enhance the curriculum to ensure children develop the dexterity needed to support later writing. Children eagerly squeeze pipettes to transport water and manipulate dough. Older children confidently make marks and talk about their drawings. Children are provided with the opportunities to develop the skills they will need for later writing. n Leaders value the importance of providing lots of opportunities for children to enjoy stories. They provide a wide range of books for children to explore. Babies

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need to do better?

crawl over to choose their favourite book, and staff show interest and name the items on the pages as babies point to them. Babies turn the pages until they find their favourite page and explore the textures they can feel. Older children talk about their favourite stories. These enjoyable experiences support children's love of books. n Staff introduce opportunities to teach children about healthy lifestyles. Children benefit from many experiences to play outside in the fresh air and by walking in the community. Staff talk to children at mealtimes about the impact of food on their bodies. Children are beginning to know how to keep their bodies healthy. They talk about the need to keep their bodies hydrated and check that their friends have also had a drink of water. n Staff have high aspirations for what children can do. From babies upwards, they encourage children to have a go. Children are encouraged to feed themselves

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need to do better?

and pour their own drinks. Older children serve their own food and scrape their plates into the bin once they have finished. The expectations are well sequenced throughout the nursery, helping to build on children's skills over time. Children demonstrate high levels of confidence and self-esteem.

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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 help staff to define learning intentions for activities more clearly so that the impact on what children know as a result of participating is clear n support staff in how to consistently support children to regulate their emotions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2689526 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10356555 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 84 Number of children on roll 99 Name of registered person Little Acorns Holdings Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01282 680822 Date of previous inspection 5 June 2024

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Information about this early years setting

Little Acorns Padiham registered in 2022 and is located in Padiham, Burnley. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, 15 hold appropriate qualifications up to level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery offers government funded places for children aged nine months to four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector held discussions with leaders to assess the effectiveness of leadership and management. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff and the children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Leaders provided the inspectors with a sample of key documentation on request, including documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during a planned activity. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises with leaders.

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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

7 May 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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