The Ark at Sherwood

The Ark at Sherwood The Annex, The Sherwood School, Abbotts Road, Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 1JS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 February 2016 28 January 2010

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Management and staff know how to support children who have special educational needs and this contributes towards them making good progress from their starting points.  The effective key-person system encourages children to feel safe and secure. This helps children make strong bonds with the staff and develops their emotional well-being.  Management and staff have a good understanding of how to keep children safe. They provide an environment where children can play in safety. Staff know the procedures to follow if they have any child protection concerns regarding children's welfare.  Staff support children's development effectively and plan activities targeted to their individual learning needs. This helps children to make secure progress in their learning and to move on to the next stage of their learning successfully.  Staff promote children's physical well-being effectively and they provide outdoor

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This provision is good

activities every day. For example, in the garden children have a wide variety of resources to explore, which cover all areas of the curriculum.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not consistently make the most of opportunities to fully encourage and build on children's independence skills. For example, the organisation of snack sessions does not always encourage children to help prepare or serve their own food.  Staff do not always explore further ways and opportunities for parents to share children's achievements and learning to strengthen planning for next steps even further.

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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

 make the most of opportunities for children to do things for themselves to build on their independence skills  develop further systems to involve parents in their child's individual learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed teaching and learning activities both indoors and outdoors.  The inspector looked at a sample of children's assessment records, planning documentation, evidence of suitability of staff and a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures.  The inspector spoke to parents on the day of the inspection and took into account their views.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the day and held discussions with the provider and manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The provider has good recruitment procedures in place and uses a robust system to help ensure staff continue to be suitable to work with children. Management and staff keep their knowledge and practice up to date, for example, they are aware of recent changes relating to safeguarding. The manager evaluates effectively and involves the views of staff, parents and children in the process to help her drive improvements. The manager works very closely with staff and has a good understanding of their training needs. Staff share what they learn from training to improve the provision they provide. For example, they evaluate how they present the environment to children and continually build on this to make sure it is fully engaging and stimulating for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff support children and parents very well. For example, they know how to work in partnership with specialist professionals to support children's individual needs and help them make the best progress in their learning. Staff carry out precise assessments of children's learning and monitor their progress well. This helps staff to highlight any potential gaps in learning and to close these effectively. Staff plan activities that build on what children already know and can do. For example, they make good use of their knowledge of how to promote children's speaking skills during group sessions. This helps children to make good progress in their language and communication skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and settled at the setting. Staff support children's emotional needs well and have good relationships with them. New children settle quickly and build strong bonds with their key person, which helps them build a good level of confidence. Staff act as good role models to encourage children's positive behaviour. Staff work in partnership with parents, which helps them to know and understand children's individual care needs well. Staff encourage good hygiene practice and provide a clean environment for children to play in. They promote healthy lifestyles, teach children about healthy diets and explore food from around the world, which aids children's knowledge of the wider world.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are active and independent learners and they engage in worthwhile activities. For example, they take an active part in singing sessions choosing props, which promotes their enjoyment. Children develop good social skills, for example, they take part in small group activities and learn good manners during occasions, such as mealtimes. Children, including those who have special educational needs, make good progress in their learning in relation to their starting points. This helps them become very prepared for the next stage in their learning, such as school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY394204 Local authority Merton Inspection number 980070 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 47 Name of provider The Ark at Sherwood Limited Date of previous inspection 28 January 2010 Telephone number 020 8764 5526

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Setting details

The Ark at Sherwood Ltd registered in 2009. It is situated in the London Borough of Merton. The provision opens Monday to Friday, 8.30am until 3.45pm, during term times only. There are seven members of staff who work with the children. The manager holds a relevant qualification at level 4 and three staff hold childcare qualifications at level 3. Two members of staff are currently training for appropriate qualifications in childcare. The setting receives funding for early education for children aged two, 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

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

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