Little Acorns (Herne) Pre-School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents

This provision is outstanding • The committee, manager and well-qualified team are determined to provide the best possible quality and standards for all children who attend this pre-school. They have sustained outstanding practice and are relentless in their dedication to continuous improvement.

• Managers have an incisive view of the progress all children make. They identify when groups of children need additional support and take proactive action to address this. For example, they adapt and extend mathematical resources and focus on how staff teach mathematical concepts.

Consequently, children become enthusiastic about mathematics, catch up in their learning and make e...xcellent progress. • Staff prepare children extremely well for change, such as when children settle in and when they move from one room to another. Older children benefit from well thought out support for their move on to school.

For example, staff replicate the school procedures for lunchtime, so that children are familiar with routines and expectations. These highly positive approaches enable children to feel positive about change and support their emotional well-being. • Staff are highly skilled at supporting children to develop friendships, and relationships are strong across the whole pre-school.

• Parents comment on how they value the initial home visits and how well the 'caring staff' support their children in settling in. Overall, staff involve parents in the assessments and planning for children's progress and have strong arrangements in place to exchange information. • The manager and her team are exceptionally supportive to children and their families.

They liaise positively with outside agencies and strive to ensure that every child has a highly positive start to their education. Therefore, trusting relationships are built. This collaborative approach supports consistency in children's care and learning.