Little Acorns

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and thrive at this exceptional setting. They develop wonderful relationships with the staff. Children demonstrate that they feel happy, safe and secure. They explore their environment with enthusiasm, delighting in exploring real-life construction materials. Babies explore their environment with enthusiasm and channel their energy into the exploration of the exciting activities available. Children's experiences are meaningful.

Children make rapid progress from their individual starting points. From an early age, children gain confidence in their physical skills. Children thrive from challenge and learn about personal risk management. For example, they climb the outdoor equipment and jump with confidence.

Staff plan an ambitious curriculum which covers all areas of children's learning and development. Staff value and respect children's opinions and listen carefully when children speak to them. Children's behaviour is exceptional. They are kind and considerate towards each other. For example, children delight in playing in 'Bugingham Palace'. They pass the tools to their friends. Children show high levels of enjoyment as they play and learn.

Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) exceptionally well. The manager and staff use the additional funding to ensure that children achieve the very best possible outcomes. As a result, all children make excellent progress from their individual starting points.

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

• Leaders are ambitious at this friendly nursery. The manager values staff and uses robust procedures to support their well-being. Staff state that their colleagues are their 'work family'. The manager ensures that all staff receive regular supervision meetings and, as a result, practitioner's knowledge is developed over time.
• Staff develop warm and nurturing relationships with children. Settling-in sessions are effective and meaningful. Staff use these sessions exceptionally well, which enables them to know children's interests. As a consequence, children are happy and thrive in their environment.
• This is a language-rich environment. Children handle books with care and partake in storytelling with gusto. The most amazing storytelling is told, and staff use role play for children to be able to tell the story themselves. Staff model language extremely well and children show a very high level of engagement.
• Leaders and staff use their observations of children well. They identify how children learn best and plan learning experiences that build on what children already know, do and can remember. For example, children manipulate construction materials and use tools. This helps to develop the muscles they will need for later writing.
• Children are very independent and staff encourage this. Children know how to serve and chop their own fruit. Snack time is social and enjoyable for all. Children serve themselves wholesome and nutritious food. Staff are responsive to children's needs.
• Staff ensure children fully understand their expectations for behaviour. Children take turns, share resources and work together during activities. Staff praise children, telling them exactly what they have done well. Children are clear about what they have done or achieved. Children recognise the need for 'kind hands and walking feet'.
• Staff have an amazing rapport with all children. Children delight in activities and have a high level of self-esteem. Staff encourage children and use positive praise. Staff nurture children in this setting.
• All children, including those with SEND, make exceptional progress. The special educational needs coordinator works closely with the local authority, staff, parents and external professionals, using detailed assessments of children's individual needs. Staff skilfully implement children's individual education plans to close any gaps in children's learning.
• Children learn about the world around them and benefit greatly from these opportunities. Children take part in local events. This helps to improve their understanding of the wider world and sparks their curiosity. For example, staff talked about the life and reign of the queen. Children took flowers to lay at the local park memorial in her memory. High priority is given to the children's emotional support. When children feel frustrated, they know they can use the cosy sensory space to help them calm down.
• Babies and the youngest children form secure attachments with their key person. They learn in a calm and peaceful environment and have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the stimulating outdoor environment. Babies use sign language to develop their early communication skills and practitioners are very responsive to their needs.