Little Acorns

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This nursery offers a nurturing environment where children thrive. Staff prioritise supportive relationships, especially for children new to the setting. They create a calm and secure atmosphere where children feel safe, valued and ready to learn. Carefully planned grouping of children ensures that high-quality education continues while staff sensitively support those settling in.

The curriculum is ambitious, child-led and rooted in the highest expectations for language and emotional development. Staff promote deep engagement through carefully chosen experiences that reflect children's interests and developmental needs. They plan activities precisely, ensuring each one supports specific learning goals. Older children build houses at the craft table, developing creativity, collaboration and expressive language. Younger children mix 'potions', exploring sensory materials and extending vocabulary through imaginative play. Staff enrich the curriculum with real-world activities that build on children's experiences and deepen their understanding of community. Children visit the local café for drinks and snacks and pick apples in the nearby orchard. These outings foster a strong sense of belonging and help children to connect learning to the world around them.

Children behave exceptionally well. They cooperate, follow routines and show high levels of emotional security. Staff model respectful interactions and tailor support to individual needs, ensuring every child is included, challenged and celebrated.

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

• Teaching is sharply focused. Staff use their deep knowledge of children to plan responsively and stretch learning. They select groups with care, ensuring quieter children access language-rich experiences and more able children encounter challenge. The 'Ladybird Group' exemplifies this approach, where older two-year-olds are supported to lead play, solve problems and take responsibility.
• Staff use precise teaching strategies to build vocabulary, extend thinking and promote literacy. Activities are carefully sequenced to support progression. For example, staff introduce learning through shared stories, then revisit key concepts through role play, small-group discussions and creative tasks. Children learn to recall, predict and explain with increasing confidence. They are remarkably high achievers who remember their learning.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language, receive targeted support that helps them thrive. Staff use tailored strategies to build confidence and encourage interactions. They plan interventions for all children, not just those with identified needs, and track progress closely. This helps to ensure that every child is supported to make the best possible progress.
• Behaviours in this nursery are remarkably positive. Children follow staff's guidance diligently during routines and transitions. For example, even the youngest children walk calmly and quietly through school to the lunch hall. Staff reinforce expectations through warm reminders and consistent modelling. Children listen attentively, take turns and contribute confidently during group times. They show high levels of emotional security and respect for others.
• Emotional well-being and personal development are central to staff's approach. They help children to recognise, name and manage their feelings. Children feel safe to express themselves. They show care towards others and build friendships. Staff listen to children, who know their feelings matter. Children show increasing confidence. For example, a child proudly gives the inspector a 'fist bump' and 'elbow bump' to celebrate how well they lined up for outdoor play.
• Parents speak with warmth and confidence about the care their children receive. Staff maintain open, honest communication and involve families in every step of their child's journey. They share strategies and celebrate progress. Parents feel listened to and valued. This strong partnership supports consistency between home and the nursery, helping children to settle quickly, feel secure and make sustained progress.
• Staff ensure that every child can take part in nursery life, adapting activities so all children feel included. Staff remove barriers to learning with care and creativity. For example, they modify celebrations, sports races and cycling lessons to ensure that all children are involved seamlessly. This inclusive approach reflects the nursery's commitment to supporting and celebrating the uniqueness of every child.
• In-depth, frequent evaluation helps to continuously strengthen practice. Staff reflect daily and refine teaching with intent. Leaders provide purposeful supervision and targeted professional development for staff. They link with schools to share strategies that raise aspirations, ensure continuity and depth in learning, and to give children a strong foundation for the future. This rigour contributes to the exceptional quality of education and outstanding outcomes for children.