Noahs Ark Pre School

Noahs Ark Weston All Saints Centre, High Street, Weston, Bath, BA1 4BX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 October 2015 9 March 2010

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Children develop an excellent knowledge of how to be safe through discussions and experiences during routines. A wide range of written policies underpin the robust procedures and working practices. All staff complete relevant safeguarding training and effectively translate their knowledge into practice. This helps to ensure that children are safe from harm and their welfare is a high priority.  Children are highly motivated by the stimulating activities and resources that are on offer. They make excellent progress in all areas of their learning and development, taking into account their starting points and capabilities.  Consistently high-quality teaching happens throughout the pre-school. Staff have an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children learn. The experience and qualifications of the teaching staff have a hugely positive impact on the opportunities for children.

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This provision is outstanding

 Children who are learning English as an additional language, disabled children and those who have special educational needs have exceptional support. Staff work extremely closely with parents and other professionals to meet children's individual needs.  Expectations for children's care, development and learning are very high. There is a very strong emphasis on evaluation and reflection to maintain high standards and inspire further improvements.

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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

 continue to develop the learning environment to provide the best possible opportunities from the space available.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the children during activities indoors and outdoors.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector discussed the provision with the provider, staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector sampled a range of paperwork including risk assessments, policies, children's learning files, suitability documents and the self-evaluation records.  The inspector gathered the views of parents from letters of referral, comments in learning files and discussion.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The manager effectively monitors the quality of teaching though regular observations of staff's practice. There is ample support for the team through meticulous supervisions and appraisals. Staff have accessed many training opportunities, including how to extend their knowledge of supporting children's mathematical skills even further. This has a positive impact of increasing children's early understanding. Parents wholeheartedly compliment the staff and especially the exemplary preparation for those moving on to school. Parents' and children's opinions are of great value to the team and they use these contributions to develop the pre-school. Staff work exceptionally well with outside agencies and other professionals to provide each child with the support they need to learn. Safeguarding is effective. The manager recognises the need to continually develop the environment, indoors and outdoors, to improve learning opportunities for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The staff use extremely effective observation and assessment methods to monitor children's progress from their initial starting points. They identify, plan and provide individual support to each child to help them make outstanding progress. The qualified teachers use their expertise to teach children about the natural world, early mathematics and early writing skills among many other learning experiences. Children engage and show great excitement during activities such as learning about the seasonal changes and hibernation. Staff consistently ensure that opportunities to learn excellent communication, language and literacy skills happen throughout the sessions. These contribute to the skills that help children to build great foundations for their future learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children's behaviour is excellent. Staff are positive role models and they work together to remind children of clear rules. Children learn to behave in ways that are safe and they learn right from wrong. Children are very happy; they settle easily and are confident. They form an exceptionally secure attachment to their key person, other staff and other children. The pre-school has a family atmosphere in which all children receive equal concern and attention. Staff know children and their families well. Children learn to respect each other and gain a great awareness of disabled people and difference. For example, they learn about festivals celebrated by a variety of religions.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children squeal with excitement as they learn to be curious, active learners. They know their input is of great value and this helps them to thrive and flourish. They have limitless opportunities to learn and develop which motivates and stimulates their enthusiasm. Children recall their learning; they retain information and share their knowledge proudly.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY224711 Local authority Bath & NE Somerset Inspection number 842626 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 3 - 5 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 36 Name of provider Helen Jane Simpson Date of previous inspection 9 March 2010 Telephone number 0794 1611 417

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Setting details

Noah's Ark Pre-school registered in 2002. It operates from Weston Village, Bath. The pre- school is open Monday to Friday during school term times. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. There are seven members of staff, of whom four hold Qualified Teacher Status and two are qualified at level 3. The pre-school is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three and four years.

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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

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Setting details

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