The Ark Child Okeford

The Ark Child Okeford St. Nicholas C of E Primary School, Station Road, Child Okeford, BLANDFORD FORUM, Dorset, DT11 8EL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 August 2015 13 May 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 Staff provide a safe and welcoming environment where children build good relationships with adults and one another. Staff know children well as individuals.  Children are keen to take part in a broad range of activities that staff plan according to children's interests and learning priorities.  Staff and management monitor children's development effectively to enable them to identify and address gaps in learning and teaching. Children, therefore, make good progress.  Positive partnerships with parents and other professionals enable staff to meet children's needs well. Parents say that their children have progressed well, particularly in confidence and their language skills, since attending.  Staff have a good understanding about safeguarding children. They are clear about child protection issues and the correct procedures to follow if they have concerns.  Effective self-evaluation methods include the views of staff, parents, children and

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This provision is good

outside agencies and result in improvements in children's experiences. For example, babies and toddlers now play and learn outside more often.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children in the toddler room cannot easily choose from a full range of toys and play equipment for themselves.  Staff do not always extend children's thinking through effective questioning as they support routine activities, such as snack time.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 improve the organisation of play equipment in the toddler room to enable children to select independently, to extend their own play and learning  extend opportunities for children to think and build on what they know during routine activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's activities inside and outside.  The inspector talked to staff and interviewed the manager.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector looked at a sample of documents, which included children's progress records.  The inspector took account of parents' views, obtained in person.

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who attend. This is good

Staff are well qualified and have a good understanding of the learning and development requirements. They provide a stimulating learning environment with a good range of play equipment and resources. Staff value children's ideas when planning activities, so that children are enthusiastic and keen to learn. At the inspection, younger children enjoyed using their senses to investigate a range of materials such as a variety of cereals with paints. Staff joined in, motivating the play, providing vocabulary such as 'crunchy', 'splutter' and 'bumpy'. Older children were excited to pick vegetables that they had planted, monitored and nurtured ready for harvesting. Staff teach children to recognise their written name through daily routines, and frequently enable them to practise early writing skills. Staff take children on various outings where they extend children's learning about nature, people and places in their local community.

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good

Children are happy and settled. Staff request details from parents, which enable them to provide familiar routines and favourite toys to help children feel secure. Staff teach children to share equipment and take turns. They expect good manners, encourage children to help care for their environment and help keep themselves and others safe. Children receive regular praise, which helps boost their self-esteem. Staff use effective methods to develop children's confidence as they move to the next group or on to school. Children develop increasing independence in practical skills. They use tools, manage their clothes, and care for themselves. Staff promote healthy lifestyles well. Children make choices from freshly-cooked meals and enjoy fresh air and exercise everyday.

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provision is good

The recent change in manager has brought about positive changes, giving staff clearer roles and responsibilities. Staff work well as a team to provide sessions that run smoothly to meet children's needs well. Management use various methods to monitor the quality of teaching, which includes regular staff supervisions and observation of their practice. Staff often attend training to update their knowledge about children's learning. For example, following a training session on outdoor provision, staff have provided extra equipment to encourage children to investigate the natural environment. They are also adding more opportunities for children to practise writing skills in all areas of the environment. Parents say that they are happy with the provision and appreciate the supportive staff, who help children to settle well. They report positively about the methods of communication and feel involved in their children's learning. Parents say that staff help prepare their children

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Setting details

Unique reference number 141096 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 825760 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 86 Name of provider The Ark Child Okeford Date of previous inspection 13 May 2009 Telephone number 01258 861007

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Setting details

The Ark Child Okeford opened in 1992 and re-registered when they moved to the grounds of St Nicholas Primary School in 2007. The nursery is managed by a voluntary committee. The nursery is open from 8am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, for 50 weeks of the year. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 16 members of staff employed to work with the children. The manager holds an early years qualification at level 5 and most of the other staff are qualified at level 3. The staff team are supported by an administrator, a cook, a cleaner and a lunchtime supervisor.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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