Winsley Acorns Preschool

Inspection of Winsley Acorns Preschool Tyning Road, Winsley, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire BA15 2JN

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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 arrive eager to learn and demonstrate high levels of emotional security. They settle swiftly into well-established routines and form strong, trusting relationships with staff. Staff provide consistent emotional support through warm, responsive interactions. As a result, all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), feel safe, valued and ready to engage in learning.

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The provision is good

The setting's ethos reflects a clear commitment to inclusion, mutual respect and high-quality early education. Staff create a rich, purposeful learning environment and plan a curriculum that reflects children's interests, experiences and backgrounds. This thoughtful approach captures children's curiosity and sustains their engagement over time.

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The provision is good

Staff hold consistently high expectations for every child. They model respectful behaviour and positive attitudes in their daily practice, which children observe and mirror. For example, during child-led play, staff listen attentively, respond with genuine interest and thank children for their contributions. These interactions support children to become confident, articulate communicators.

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The provision is good

Strong relationships with families underpin the setting's inclusive and nurturing ethos. Staff prioritise open, two-way communication and build meaningful partnerships with parents and carers. Families speak highly of the warm, welcoming atmosphere and trust staff to meet their children's individual needs with care and professionalism.

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need to do better?

n Staff reflect thoughtfully on their practice and clearly articulate how they adapt provision to meet children's needs. They create a calm, purposeful environment, using natural and real-life resources that are well suited to each child's stage of development. Adults model new experiences effectively, supporting children's understanding. For example, they use authentic items in the role-play area to promote respect for resources and the environment. n Children who speak English as an additional language make strong progress in their learning. Staff work closely with families and actively gather relevant information to plan clear, purposeful next steps. Through this collaborative approach, they provide timely support that helps children develop effective communication skills. Some children make such rapid progress in English that they support their peers and confidently lead small-group activities to teach their

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need to do better?

home language. These experiences showcase the children's growing confidence and pride in their achievements.

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need to do better?

9 June 2025 n Children develop an understanding of where food comes from through rich, hands-on experiences. They take responsibility for watering the tomatoes and cucumbers they have planted, learning the importance of caring for living things. Staff skilfully revisit prior learning, discussing the tools needed, such as trowels and soil, and naming key parts of the plant including the roots. These purposeful interactions deepen and embed children's knowledge over time. n Children demonstrate excellent perseverance and concentration, particularly during creative activities. For example, they focus intently while painting with a variety of tools. Staff enhance these experiences by offering resources, such as cotton wool buds to support fine motor control and finger dexterity. These opportunities lay strong foundations for early writing skills as children confidently and skilfully mark make. Staff also provide freshly cut flowers for children to

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need to do better?

observe and paint, encouraging choice, creativity and close attention to detail. n The setting has designed a broad and ambitious curriculum that reflects each child's background and individual needs. Staff use their secure knowledge of the children to plan meaningful learning experiences that build on what they already know and can do. However, occasionally, staff do not always notice when older children require more challenge to move their learning on even more. They quickly identify any gaps in learning and implement timely, targeted support to help children catch up. When needed, staff actively seek advice from external professionals to ensure each child receives the right support. As a result, all children make strong and sustained progress. n Staff actively promote children's independence throughout daily routines. Before snack time, they remind children to wash their hands, supporting good personal

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need to do better?

hygiene habits. At the snack table, children pour their own drinks and choose between milk or water, helping them make independent choices. They select fruit from a shared tray and follow gentle reminders to take three pieces, ensuring there is enough for everyone. Staff use these moments to introduce early mathematical concepts, encouraging children to count out the correct number and guiding them when they can take one more.

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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 focus staff development on knowing when to challenge older children more, to enable them to make even greater progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2716412 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 10388807 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Winsley Acorns Pre-School CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01225865131 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Winsley Acorns Preschool registered in January 2023. It is situated in Winsley, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. There are six members of staff. Two members of staff have achieved qualified teacher status, four hold qualifications at level 3. The pre- school is open Monday to Friday, term time only. Opening hours are from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Thursday and 9am to 1pm on Friday. An early bird session operates from 8.30am to 9am from Tuesday to Thursday. The pre-school offers government funded places.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at convenient times and observed the quality of teaching, indoors and outdoors, assessing the impact this is having on the children's learning. n The manager and the inspector conducted a joint observation of the quality of teaching and learning during an adult-led activity. n The inspector spoke with parents and the children, taking account of all their views. n The manager, deputy and the inspector discussed the leadership of the setting, and the inspector sampled documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff.

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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

9 June 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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