Acacia Pre-School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

All children receive good levels of care and attention at this pre-school.

They build strong bonds with the staff and their peers. The spontaneous cuddles and comforting words from staff help children to feel happy and safe. As a result, children, such as those who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, are catching up with their learning.

For example, children who were anxious are now able to separate from their parents without hesitation.Children respond positively to the high expectations of staff. For example, during a group activity, children are able to sit for periods of time while holding their attention well....

They enjoy singing along to familiar nursery songs and recalling previous learning. Children listen to stories intently, which supports their communication and language skills. They are developing their listening and concentration skills rapidly.

There are also opportunities for children to explore malleable materials to support their creativity and imagination. Children are learning about numbers and letters, which promote their understanding of early mathematics and literacy skills. The free-flow provision between indoors and outdoors motivates children to make independent choices in their play.

Children's behaviour is good. They are learning to share and take turns.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

Parents are very pleased with the service they and their children receive.

They find the manager and staff are incredibly approachable and caring. Parents appreciate the way staff inform them about their children's learning. They receive helpful advice from staff on a wide range of issues, such as toileting and behaviour management.

Staff's strong partnership with parents promotes a consistent approach to children's overall development.Staff speak positively about their training and the support from the manager. They are either undertaking qualifications or have progressed to higher level qualifications to extend their professional development.

Recent training has helped staff to reinforce positive behaviour with praise and reassurance. This helps children to behave well.Staff observe and monitor children's learning to help them identify and address any gaps in their learning.

They have developed an effective working partnership with other professionals to promote continuity of care for the children. As a result, children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress in relation to their starting points.Staff plan age-appropriate and sufficiently challenging educational programmes for the children.

Currently, they are promoting children's physical skills through various activities, such as mark making and by using climbing apparatus.However, occasionally, some staff members do not notice when children, particularly those who are quiet and less confident, need more support. This prevents some children from making the most of all their learning experiences.

Overall, staff promote children's healthy lifestyles well. They ensure children get regular exercise and fresh air. Children enjoy healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit and vegetable sticks.

However, staff do not make good use of opportunities to teach children about healthy options and the effect that food has on their bodies. This does not fully develop children's awareness of growth and development.Children learn about the world around them.

For example, they see pictures of people and words in other languages within their learning environments. Cultural and religious festivals, such as Diwali, also contribute to children's understanding of the similarities and differences between people.Staff teach children what to do in an emergency to protect their welfare.

For example, they hold regular fire drills to show children where to go in the event of a fire. Children respond positively to this.The manager reflects on their practice and makes effective use of the self-evaluation process to identify any areas for improvement.

For example, she is currently reviewing the organisation of group activities to further enhance children's learning experiences.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and staff know how to identify signs that might indicate a child is at risk of harm, including signs of extreme views.

They are confident in reporting any concerns to relevant agencies to protect a child's welfare. Staff undertake rigorous vetting and recruitment processes to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. They receive induction training to help them understand their roles and responsibilities.

Staff deployment is effective. This enables staff to supervise children at all times, to keep them safe and secure.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: nextend staff's understanding of how to support children, particularly those who are quiet and less confident, to help them to make the most of all learning experiences make more effective use of opportunities to raise children's understanding of the effect that food has on their bodies.