Acorns

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children feel at home in the setting, where staff have built warm relationships with them.

Children make the transition from school well and immediately show independence by placing their belongings away. Staff ask children to make choices about what they want to do. This helps children to make decisions and share ideas.

Children play physical ball games in groups, cheering their peers and working as a team. Staff promote language and communication at every opportunity within the setting. Children have excellent communication skills, joining in conversations with peers and staff.

They say, 'We can have as much foo...d as we want,' clearly appreciating the self-serve tea. They describe, in detail, the self-portraits they choose to draw. They master their art skills, carefully considering colours and design.

Additionally, they excitedly discuss where they will hang them when they get home. Staff have high expectations of the children and act as excellent role models. As a result, children show respect for others and have incredible social skills.

They engage in meaningful conversations at mealtimes with their friends, sharing ideas and discussing their day at school. Children encourage each other by saying, 'Well done' as they acknowledge each other's achievements.

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

Staff have a good understanding of what children enjoy doing.

As a result, children arrive and excitedly run to their favourite activities. Children use their large motor skills and enjoy competing with peers while playing games. They negotiate space and enjoy the challenge of team games they create, such as 'poison ball'.

This helps children to understand the thrill of challenge.Staff direct and ignite children's natural curiosity in crafting and construction activities. Children become artists as they create paintings in their own image.

They skilfully use materials to make constructions, such as racing car tracks. They use words such as 'booster' and 'winning,' as they race their cars. They request help from staff, when needed, and understand when they need support.

Children listen to staff and follow instructions. They understand boundaries and rules and show respect for others. Older children play alongside and with younger children, including them in their play.

Children celebrate various festivals and celebrations throughout the year, including Chinese New Year. They learn to appreciate differences and about the lives of other people.Routines support children in structuring their time in the setting.

Children learn how to manage their time and choose what they want to do. Mealtimes are a social occasion as children self-serve and learn the importance of making healthy food choices. Children manage their personal hygiene well and are very independent in the setting.

Staff have excellent partnerships with the local school, which means important information about the children is shared. This is particularly vital for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Topics children learn at school are planned in the club so that children's learning can be supported in the setting.

Parents say they have full confidence their children are happy in the setting. Setting-in sessions are highly effective in supporting children to make friends and get to know staff. Parents feel pastoral care and the relationships between children of all ages are excellent.

Important information is relayed from school, for example, about any accidents children have had. Also, they appreciate how staff support children's ongoing learning and development.The leadership of the club is highly effective.

Staff attend training to strengthen their skills and knowledge. They understand how to manage children's allergies by implementing effective procedures. Additionally, staff use effective risk assessment and safety measures in the setting to keep children safe.

Children are always within sight, especially on transition from school to the club.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.