Little Acorns Pre School

Inspection of Little Acorns Pre School 140 Sidegate Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 4JD

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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 arrive with a spring in their step, eager to talk to the friendly and nurturing staff who greet them with a smile. Staff know the children very well as they offer home visits and tailored settling-in process, where they take time to get to know them and their families. This prioritises children's emotional well-being from the beginning and means children swiftly build strong and caring attachments to staff.

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The provision is good

A large focus of the well-planned curriculum aims to provide children with what they need to speak clearly, enjoy books and make sense of the natural world around them. Staff provide opportunities to learn about life cycles, through growing fruit and vegetables in the pre-school allotment. This supports children's understanding of where food comes from and healthy lifestyles. Staff complement children's wider experiences with opportunities to experience ducklings hatching in spring and visits to the local library and parks.

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The provision is good

Children use sand timers to take turns, showing they have learned fair ways to play cooperatively. When children find it difficult to share a popular toy, staff calmly and sensitively explain to children the impact of their behaviour on their friends. This excellent and consistent modelling from staff supports children's positive attitudes and behaviours towards others.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum is built around a range of books, rhymes and activities that have context and relevance to children, helping them make links in their learning. For example, children enjoy fun stories and discussions about the current topic and interest in bees. As children spread honey on bread for their snack, they practise their physical skills to support later writing. Additionally, staff use this opportunity to talk to children about the role of bees. Children show this connected learning is effective when they proudly tell staff that bumblebees do not make honey, honeybees do. n Staff expertly promote children's independence and self-care skills. Staff model fun and memorable techniques, such as 'pinch, pinch, pull', to support children with opening food packets. As a result, children demonstrate perseverance and determination as they successfully open packets themselves. This bolsters their self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n On very hot days, managers diligently reinforce to staff the importance of keeping children safe in the sun. Staff encourage shaded areas to play and remind children to wear sun hats. They offer regular drinks to keep children hydrated, apply sun cream and make sure children play outside for a safe length of time. On occasion, there are inconsistencies in how staff gather information

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need to do better?

1 July 2025 from parents at drop-off, to precisely plan for individual children's care such as timings to re-apply sun cream. n The management team work hard to build strong relationships with the link school and other local schools children will attend. Staff read stories and spend time talking to children about what they may expect. This helps children to manage any feelings of anxiety and make seamless transitions when they progress to school. n Staff promote children's communication and language very well. They consistently model clear and age-appropriate language, alongside providing visual aids and social experiences that support children with their early language development. n Children delight in choosing from a range of art and craft activities that are inviting and always available. Children thoroughly enjoy the garden where they have an array of resources to build their gross motor skills, such as a climbing

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need to do better?

frame, ride-on cars and sandpits to dig in. n Staff mostly arrange the environment carefully to allow children to choose from a wide variety of high-quality resources of interest. Sometimes, staff do not always consider introducing other available resources to deepen children's engagement and help them make stronger connections in their learning and development. n Parents are extremely happy with the service. All parents, including those of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, express how the management team and staff go 'over and above' to ensure their involvement. This collaborative working ensures that the individual needs of all children are consistently met and they all make significant progress from their starting points.

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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 improve systems to gather information from parents that help staff plan to meet the specific needs of children, particularly during periods of extreme heat n help staff to consider how available resources can be used to further enhance children's creativity and support them to achieve their next steps in learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 251558 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10394827 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 30 Number of children on roll 59 Name of registered person Little Acorns Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01473 712236 Date of previous inspection 27 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Acorns Pre School registered in 1994. The pre-school employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including two at level 6. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, from 8am until 4pm, term time only. The pre-school provides government funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a tour of the pre-school, both indoors and outdoors, to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. Additionally, the manager showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this had on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of group activities with the manager and also discussed self-evaluation. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector held a meeting with the management team and also discussed self-evaluation. The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of the staff working in the pre-school and a selection

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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

1 July 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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