Little Acorns Pre-School

Inspection of Little Acorns Pre-School Oakwood Primary School, 170 Pendeen Crescent, PLYMOUTH PL6 6QS

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children are welcomed into the pre-school by friendly and attentive staff. Children who are new to the setting receive support and comfort, staff offer plenty of reassurance and cuddles as children separate from their parents. Staff take time to get to know the children and their families, working closely with parents to help them to build secure relationships as children begin their pre-school journey. Children who are already familiar with the routine arrive eager and enthusiastic, ready to start playing. Children form good friendships with their peers. They enjoy playing imaginatively and share the toys as they play.

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The provision is good

Leaders and staff consider what they want children to learn and carefully organise the environment to inspire curiosity and creativity. As a result, children are eager to explore resources and immerse themselves in meaningful play. For example, they show excellent focus and concentration as they take part in junk modelling activities, children carefully select materials and use their creativity to bring their ideas to life. Children demonstrate independence as they confidently use scissors, mix paints and use other tools and resources to construct and create their models.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, leaders and staff have worked hard to make the necessary improvements and raise the quality of the provision. They have taken part in training and engaged with other professionals to seek the support and guidance that they needed to improve. Leaders have introduced more effective procedures to help them to monitor children's safety and welfare more precisely, to safeguard children. n Leaders and staff have implemented a new curriculum that focuses on what they want children to learn, staff encourage children to be independent and confident. They carefully consider how they can support children's learning through using children's interests, to motivate and engage them in play. However, the curriculum is still in the early stages, staff are still developing how to ensure that all children receive challenge in their learning. n Leaders and staff know the children well. Staff monitor children's progress

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need to do better?

closely and identify gaps in learning. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good support to help them to make progress in their learning. Staff work in close partnership with and parents and other professionals to meet children's learning needs, and to access the help that children and their families need for children to make the progress they are capable of. n Partnerships with parents are strong and well developed. Staff know the children and their families well, they provide lots of opportunities to speak with parents and to share information about what their children are learning, and how their

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need to do better?

25 September 2025 day has been. Staff ensure that they communicate with parents when children are transitioning into the setting to help to put them at ease. Parents speak positively about the setting and staff who care for their children. n Overall, leaders and staff promote children's communication and language well. They provide lots of opportunities for children to listen to stories, join in with singing and they model language well as they play alongside children. Staff encourage children to share their ideas, and to be involved in conversations. However, at times some children could benefit from more support with developing the clarity of their language to help them to communicate more clearly. n Children enjoy being outdoors and having space to run and be physical. Staff encourage children to be active and support their need to move. Children play games and join in with their peers, giggling as they chase each other as they

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need to do better?

play catch. n Staff help children to develop a love of literacy. Children are highly focused and engaged as staff read to them in an enthusiastic and expressive manner, which captures children's attention. Children eagerly join in with telling the story and confidently talk about what they think will happen next.

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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 continue to implement the new curriculum to offer all children challenge in their learning n provide targeted support for some children, to develop their communication and language skills further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 117194 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 10403649 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 20 Number of children on roll 17 Name of registered person Little Acorns Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01752 204082 Date of previous inspection 31 March 2025

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Information about this early years setting

Little Acorns Pre-School registered in 1995 and is located in Plymouth, Devon. It is open Monday to Thursday, from 8.45am to 3.15pm, and on Fridays, from 8.45am to 12.45pm, term time only. There are three members of staff, two of whom hold an appropriate level 3 qualification and one who holds a childcare qualification at level 2. The setting offers government funded childcare places.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at pre-school. n The inspector talked to staff and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the 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

25 September 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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