Little Acorns Playgroup

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children enter the nursery with happiness and excitement to begin their day. Warm and affectionate greetings are given by staff, and a sense of welcome is provided. Staff have good relationships with children and families. They find out key information about children from when they first start attending. Settling-in sessions are flexible to support the needs of the child.

A sense of curiosity, confidence, and independence is displayed by the children as they are nurtured into active, enthusiastic learners. The garden is eagerly explored, with fascinating insects being discovered and joyfully shared among friends. Their wonder is extended by staff who provide magnifying glasses and spark lively conversations about the creatures found to further their understanding of insects.

Children show respect for one another. Expectations for good behaviour are modelled and supported by staff. Books and visual aids are used by staff to discuss emotions with the children. Through this, an understanding is developed by the children of how their behaviour affects others. Friendships are formed, and kindness and care are shown towards one another. For example, children share 'treasure' shells discovered in the sandpit with their peers. Their favourites were described, and kind negotiations were conducted among themselves without the need for staff intervention.

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

• The team is knowledgeable and has a clear vision for what it wants children to learn. They design exciting, purposeful activities that actively support progress across all areas of the curriculum. Staff regularly assess each child's development and set tailored learning targets, ensuring that all children make consistently good progress.
• An active sports session is enjoyed by the children under the guidance of a coach. During the session, concepts such as balance and teamwork are introduced and explored. Opportunities to challenge themselves are offered to the children, and encouragement is consistently provided. When challenges are accepted, children are praised, and their efforts are positively reinforced. Skills are developed through structured activities, and cooperation is promoted throughout. A sense of achievement is fostered, and confidence is built as children engage physically and socially in the session.
• Staff support language and communication development effectively. Staff model correct language by repeating words accurately, helping children to hear and say words correctly. They use effective commentary, exposing children to a rich and varied vocabulary that enhances their language skills. Children also engage with a wide range of carefully selected books that support and extend their learning.
• Children develop their understanding of numbers, shapes, and colours through a balanced approach that includes both structured activities and opportunities for child-led play. Staff actively guide children in learning how to play board games; using these games as tools to foster important social skills. As children take turns rolling the dice, they practise patience and cooperation, which strengthens their social development. Staff also support mathematical learning by encouraging children to count the dots on the dice and move their game pieces accordingly. This hands-on approach helps build early numeracy skills.
• Children wash their hands independently and take their seats at the table for lunch. Most children sit properly and eat independently from their lunchboxes. However, staff do not account for younger children who, when seated, cannot see over the table, which limits their ability to see into their own lunch boxes, eat independently and have social conversations with their peers.
• Children begin to learn about healthy lifestyles. They spend time outdoors each day and benefit from regular fresh air. Information about healthy eating is displayed on the walls for the children to see. However, staff do not actively provide parents with enough information on how to promote healthy eating to ensure children benefit from nutritious foods. Many of the children's lunch boxes and drinks contain unhealthy options.
• The nursery collaborates closely with the school, with teachers visiting regularly to spend time with the children. Towards the end of the term, the role-play area is adapted to include school uniforms, as well as maps and photos of the school, helping to support a smooth transition for the children.
• Parents speak warmly of the nursery and its team, feeling well informed about their children's development and daily experiences. Communication is supported through an online app; fostering strong connections between the nursery and families. A strong sense of community is evident, with the nursery committee collaborating with the local area to organise events and raise funds in support of the nursery.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to recognise the needs of younger children at mealtimes, to help children eat independently and engage in social conversations
• share further information with parents about the importance of nutrition to benefit children's health.