Little Acorns Day Nursery & Pre-School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive and flourish in their development in this welcoming nursery. All children receive excellent support. They develop very strong, secure and positive relationships and friendships with their peers. Babies excitedly sing rhymes with their friends. Staff naturally burst into singing songs, enthusing the babies. Toddlers climb and balance on large tyres outside. They are carefully directed by staff using sign language, to inspire children's confidence. Pre-school children concentrate hard and work exceptionally well together, such as when making space rockets and building a ship. They are guided by staff to think deeply about what they add, such as long cylinders for cannons. Children show excellent memory skills. They remember about the Queen's Jubilee. Children gain the key skills which they need for their next stages of learning.

Children behave exceptionally well and respond very well to the high expectations which staff have for them. Children are very happy and settled. Babies display secure emotional attachments to staff, who gently comfort them on arrival and on waking from their sleep. Toddlers follow instructions and know daily routines. Children learn about how to keep safe. For example, toddlers know not to sit on blocks on bikes and older children remind friends to keep scissors low. Pre-school children are extremely kind. They use please and thank you when asking for or sharing resources.

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

• Children show outstanding communication skills. Babies and toddlers use sign language when communicating with staff. Staff consistently extend older children's language, using words, such as 'alkaline' and 'acid'. Pre-school children remember a volcano has an eruption and a caterpillar forms a chrysalis.
• Children's imaginations enthuse others. Children engage in the many creative explorations. Babies explore the cornflour gloop play. Toddlers relish in creating a 'car wash' with foam, water and paint. Pre-school children excitedly pick herbs and mix to make brews. They show delight as they discuss the flavours and smells as they offer pretend foods and drinks.
• Pre-school children count spoonfuls of ingredients to make concoctions. They recognise letters on the wording on the police car. Staff encourage children to think about how they can pour from a larger cup to a smaller one. Staff consistently count children in and out, and promote counting on every occasion, such as with babies and toddlers climbing the stairs. Staff read books and stories of children's choosing. This inspires children's mathematical and literacy development.
• Children's personal development is superbly promoted. Staff plan experiences which promote children's understanding of people, families and communities beyond their own. For example, children eagerly talk about the police car visit. They have discussions about their family differences, and what makes them unique. This helps children to value each other and gives them a sense of belonging.
• Staff provide children with positive support and encouragement. This helps them to rapidly develop confidence, and learn how to share and take turns with toys. Children gain very good independence. They demonstrate good listening and attention skills. Staff know children exceptionally well. They ask babies and toddlers for permission to change their nappies. Staff offer their help to pre-school children.
• Children demonstrate remarkable physical skills for their age. Babies eagerly play in the stimulating outdoor area. They crawl to the sand and are delighted in the swing as staff push them. Inside, children climb the stairs with great confidence. Toddlers climb and balance, showing good control and coordination. They challenge themselves and gain a good awareness of taking small risks.
• Parents say that staff are excellent. They really like the effective communication, which they receive during the day about how their children are doing, and about the activities they are enjoying. Parents say that they can see how their children are developing rapidly at nursery, especially in their communication skills and their social skills. They comment about babies signing, and toddlers learning about emotions and talking about their friends.
• All children, including those that need additional help, are very well supported. Staff ensure that children meet their planned targets and make continual progress. For example, the manager uses early years pupil premium funding to support children's learning, using small-group activities. There is a highly reflective approach and staff work well with other professionals to ensure that all children get the additional support they need swiftly.
• The manager works exceptionally well with staff to ensure that they receive focused and effective support for their professional development. Staff say that they feel valued by the manager, who promotes their well-being very effectively. The highly positive working relationships in all the rooms reflect the nursery's ethos to value every child as an individual. Staff show a real commitment to providing high-quality interactions and experiences for all children.