Little Acorns Nursery

Inspection of Little Acorns Nursery Smiths Barn, 22 West Street, Aldbourne, Marlborough SN8 2BS

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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 enjoy their time at this setting. Welcoming and friendly staff greet children and their families as they arrive, and children rush in and settle quickly. Children build secure relationships with their key person and show they feel safe and secure. Babies go to staff for reassurance and cuddles. Older children chat to staff about their play and what they are doing and thinking. Children confidently explore the environment both indoors and outdoors. They particularly enjoy the range of sensory activities staff provide for them. For example, children giggle with joy as they investigate the smell and texture of shaving foam. Children show they are beginning to build friendships. Toddlers show kindness to each other as they give their friends a bowl of dessert at lunch time.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They listen to staff and show a clear understanding of the rules and boundaries. For instance, older children form a line and patiently wait for staff to count them before they come in from the garden. Staff plan engaging learning experiences based on the children's interests. This keeps children focused and involved in their play. Children of all ages fully engage in activities that strengthen their small and large muscles. They independently climb the steps to use the slide and confidently control fishing rods to hook and scoop objects out of the water tray.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and managers have designed a curriculum that challenges and excites children and continually builds on their skills and knowledge. There is a clear focus on supporting children to feel emotionally safe and secure. Staff have a good understanding of child development. They know what children need to learn and be able to do and how to motivate and engage children in meaningful learning. They deliver the curriculum well. n Parents speak highly of the care and education their children receive at the nursery. Parents comment on the regular communication staff share with them to help them understand what their children are learning and the progress they are making. Staff invite parents to a range of different events such as, bedtime story evenings. Parents and children wear their pyjamas, share books, and drink hot chocolate. These experiences foster a sense of belonging for children and helps create positive relationships with parents.

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need to do better?

n Staff's interact with children in a positive, encouraging, and supportive manner. They enthusiastically engage with children as they play and listen to children's ideas. Staff take the time to follow children's interests, skilfully ask questions, and introduce new vocabulary. These interactions help children learn new knowledge, develop new skills, and encourages children to focus and concentrate for extended periods of time. Children show positive attitudes

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need to do better?

16 July 2025 towards their learning. n Children benefit from the opportunities staff provide to develop their independence skills. Staff support and encourage babies and toddlers to put their plates in a washing up bowl when they have finished eating. Older children are taught how to wipe the tables to make sure they are clean for lunch, and how to set the table with the correct cutlery. This gives children a sense of achievement and helps children develop the independence skills they need for school. n Staff know their key children well. They use this knowledge to plan engaging activities that supports each child's next steps in learning. However, staff occasionally miss cues in children's behaviour that suggest sleep routines need adjusting. This leads to some children becoming upset or unsettled during sleep time. n Leaders and managers ensure staff receive the guidance and support they need to meet the care and learning needs of all children. Staff complete necessary

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need to do better?

training to keep children safe. Professional development is targeted to maximise its impact on children's learning. For instance, staff recently engaged in training around adult and child interactions. This has supported staff to make the most of every interaction to enrich children's learning experiences.

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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 ensure staff recognise and respond quickly to changes in children's individual sleep routines.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2746136 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 10410725 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 39 Number of children on roll 59 Name of registered person Minoa Aldbourne Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01672 541730 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Acorns Nursery registered in October 2023. It is based in Aldbourne, near Swindon, Wiltshire. The nursery is open each weekday from 8.00am until 6pm, for 51 weeks a year. The nursery employs 11 members of staff, including the manager. Of these, one staff member holds a relevant early years qualification at level 7, one member of staff is a qualified teacher, eight staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery offers government funded places.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises with the manager. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about her curriculum and what she wants children to learn. n Staff talked to the inspector throughout the inspection and discussed how the curriculum is planned and implemented and how children's progress is monitored. n The inspector spoke to parents and took their views into account. n The manager carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the inspector. n Children spoke to the inspector. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children throughout the inspection.

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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

16 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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