Little Acorns Kindergarten

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour and attitudes to learning are exceptional.

They show high levels of curiosity. This is demonstrated as they ask questions about how ice is created and how it melts. They investigate and observe closely as they put ice in different places to see what will happen to it.

Staff challenge children's thinking superbly by asking them what they can do to make the ice melt quicker. Children hold thought-provoking conversations with others and predict what will happen, using their prior knowledge and experience. Children have immense fun and delight in their time at the kindergarten.

They dem...onstrate that they feel safe and secure as they arrive and eagerly join in with the outstanding range of activities on offer. For example, children play imaginatively in the 'hairdressers'. They talk animatedly to each other about hairstyles they can create.

They squeal with laughter as they create 'rainbow hair' and admire it in the mirror. Children benefit from a highly impressive range of inspiring learning opportunities. Staff plan exceptionally well to meet children's individual needs and interests.

The entire staff team shares the highest of expectations for all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Managers act with integrity. For example, they make bold decisions and deploy staff superbly to help all children make the best possible progress from the outset.

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

Managers reflect exceptionally well on the unique needs of the children that attend. They swiftly identify that they need to nurture children's social and communication skills. Staff share the vision for the curriculum.

They work together impressively to meet individual children's needs. This is demonstrated when they ignite children's interest in stories and immerse them in new language. Children are highly motivated learners.

They eagerly listen to stories, such as 'The Hungry Caterpillar' and 'Handa's Surprise'. Staff skilfully introduce new vocabulary through high-quality interactions and by using an exciting range of visual props. Children develop a wealth of new words, which they go on to use in conversations with others.

The management team makes timely and highly effective decisions. These help them to support vulnerable children and children with SEND superbly. For instance, through exceptional transition arrangements, such as home visits, managers gain a full and precise understanding of children's needs from the outset.

They develop outstanding partnerships with parents and professionals. This helps them to seek early help, ready for when children begin at the kindergarten. Managers use additional funding extremely well to provide specialist support to help children to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the support that their children receive.Staff enrich the curriculum with an excellent range of exciting learning opportunities. Children benefit from regular physical activities, including football and yoga.

Managers plan with specialist teachers to help to ensure that these experiences support children's unique needs effectively. For instance, through yoga, children who struggle to manage their feelings and behaviour learn ways to help them to remain calm. Through football activities, staff help to develop children's concentration and memory.

Staff welcome family members into the kindergarten. This is demonstrated when grandparents visit to talk about the countries that they come from, such as Italy. Children enjoy tasting traditional foods and finding out about the similarities and differences between themselves and others.

Staff develop exceptional partnerships with parents. For example, they provide guidance to help parents to support their children's care needs, including sleep workshops and first-aid training. Staff help parents to access the help they require from professionals, such as health visitors and speech and language therapists.

Parents report that they find this extremely beneficial to their families.Managers take every opportunity to engage with the staff. This is illustrated by their outstanding approach to managing workload.

For instance, managers monitor workload and ensure that staff have the time required to complete their duties within the working day. Managers have improved the working environment for their team, for example by creating a relaxing staff room area. Staff report that they feel highly valued and that managers care about their well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have an exceptional understanding of how to deal with concerns about a child's welfare. They have a secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms which may indicate that a child is at risk of harm.

This includes the risks of radical and extreme views or behaviours. Staff have a strong understanding of local multi-agency safeguarding arrangements. Managers ensure that staff keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date.

For instance, they test staff's knowledge during staff meetings. Managers follow robust recruitment procedures. This helps them to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

Also at this postcode