The Mulberry Bush Hedge End

Inspection of Little Acorns Day Nursery Hedge End 19 St. Johns Road, Hedge End, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 4AF

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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

Babies and toddlers at this setting receive a strong start to their education. They are supported to become fully independent through daily care routines and flourish in the care of nurturing staff that know the children well. For example, babies are encouraged to rub in their own sun cream, and staff make this task fun. They continuously introduce new vocabulary, such as 'rub' and 'cold', while labelling key features of the children's bodies like their legs, arms and face. This helps develop the children's sense of self and make links in their learning as they talk about keeping safe in the sun and recall events such as recent family holidays.

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The provision is good

Toddlers practise their ability to use cutlery with more precision and develop the hand-eye coordination required in preparation for early writing, by exploring art and crafting with a range of tools to develop their fine motor skills. These children relish the responsibility of helping at tidy-up time and are given lots of praise and encouragement by staff. This helps support their sense of achievement and encourages their sustained involvement in the task. Very young children demonstrate compassion towards their friends. For instance, they show concern when they are upset or cough, offering them water and cuddles.

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The provision is good

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive tailored support from passionate and experienced staff, who hold detailed knowledge of each child and the network of professionals around them. This ensures that all children make good progress and those with gaps in their learning and development are supported to reach their full potential.

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need to do better?

n Following weakness in the setting's arrangements for managing children's dietary requirements, previous breaches to the safeguarding and welfare requirements were identified, which the provider had not notified Ofsted about. However, the provider has identified these and taken steps to ensure that they are now meeting the requirements. All staff are clear and consistently implement the robust measures now in place for the safe handling of children's health and dietary requirements. n The new providers are committed to delivering high-quality care and education and continue to make further improvements to the setting to ensure children and staff benefit from enabling environments. Experienced and qualified staff make the most of every opportunity to teach children. For example, during ongoing building works, pre-school children are asked to consider how they can make modifications to their group activity to stay safe indoors. This helps

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need to do better?

children learn to begin to assess risk and identify control measures, which builds their overall understanding of personal and social awareness and safety.

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need to do better?

13 May 2025 n All children enjoy spending time outside each day, where staff extend children's learning through play, following their interests and continuing the learning that children have been enjoying indoors. For example, children that are focusing on learning their colours and have fun building with coloured blocks outside. Staff give simple instruction around specific coloured blocks to help children recall this information repeatedly so staff are assured that knowledge is securely understood and remembered. This provides children with further opportunities to practise newly learned skills and use new language in their play. n Staff prioritise children's personal, social and emotional development. Staff know their key children well, particularly in the younger ages. They are sensitive to babies needs and alert to their cues. They recognise when they are tired and allow them to rest when needed. This supports young infant's feelings of safety

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need to do better?

and security. Older children are taught that their opinion matters. For example, pre-school children vote for which story they want to hear by either placing a hand on their head or on their knees. This helps staff identify and encourage active listening and attention and promotes children's understanding of democracy and all-round well-being. n At times, children's behaviour is commendable, especially when being managed in a group situation by more qualified and experienced members of staff. However, older children are not supported to manage their behaviour at other times during their play, and this can impact others. Children run around the large pre-school room and outside and throw resources. This is not consistently responded to and does not fully support children to understand what is expected of them. n Leaders have a sound understanding of the setting's strengths and where to focus their support. There are effective systems in place to identify staff training

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need to do better?

and development needs, including safe recruitment practices and robust induction procedures. Consequently, staff say that they feel well supported by leaders and managers, who provide staff with the information and skills required to fulfil their roles and responsibilities.

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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 support staff to understand the setting's behaviour management strategies and consistently implement these across the setting.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2831755 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10401386 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 60 Number of children on roll 111 Name of registered person TMB Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01489795860 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Acorns Day Nursery Hedge End registered in January 2025 and is situated in Southampton, Hampshire. It is open each week day from 7.30am to 6pm, for most of the year, except for Christmas break and bank holidays. The provider currently employs 17 members of staff, of whom 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The setting receives funding for the early education for children from birth to four years old.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n Leaders joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group time activity. n The inspector discussed the intent of the activities on offer and observed staff interaction during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this had on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection, including about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the nursery. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

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

13 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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