Ark Day Nursery

Ark Day Nursery 1 Vickers Street, Mapperley Park, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG3 4LD

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 February 2016 25 February 2011

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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

 Staff plan and provide a range of successfully challenging activities and experiences that motivates and enthuses children to learn. Children are effectively supported to make consistently good progress in their learning and development.  The nursery provides children with a very welcoming, stimulating and well-resourced learning environment. A wealth of useful information is displayed for staff, parents and visitors, including lots of examples of children's artwork.  Children form close relationships with staff who look after them, and babies quickly grow in confidence. This contributes towards all children feeling safe and emotionally secure.  Staff effectively prepare children for their next stage in learning. They focus on developing strong communication and literacy skills to help them in the future.  The management team evaluates the setting and their priorities for improvement are clear. This supports the continuous improvement of the provision and benefits children

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always fully consider the abilities of younger children when planning some adult-led activities, particularly in the pre-school room.  The nursery has not fully explored opportunities to involve all parents in contributing fully to their children's ongoing learning.

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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

 review the content of some adult-led activities to ensure they capture and maintain all children's interest  develop the two-way flow of information to encourage all parents to fully contribute to their children's ongoing learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery managers. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The management team is reflective and drives improvement well. Effective recruitment, induction and staff supervision procedures are in place. Careful attention is given to equipping staff with the knowledge and skills to support the particular needs of children. Staff receive regular individual support meetings where they can seek advice and discuss their future training requirements. This helps them to build on their already good teaching and care. Effective monitoring ensures that the planning and assessment process is consistent, and that children's skills and abilities are accurately identified. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff have undertaken safeguarding training. They are fully aware of the signs of abuse and neglect and their responsibilities to protect children from harm.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff plan a range of exciting activities for children to enjoy and support them well in their learning. Consequently, children are articulate, and are becoming active learners. The quality of teaching is good. Staff in the baby room give young children a secure base from which they can explore. They provide babies with a good range of sensory activities and promote their exploratory skills. This helps them discover different textures as they investigate a variety of materials. Staff place a strong emphasis on promoting children's communication and language skills. Toddlers are focused and listen intently as the key person skilfully shares a story with them. Staff working with older children place a strong focus on supporting them to learn about numbers and letter sounds. They encourage children to count, measure and identify letters and numbers during everyday activities. All children thoroughly enjoy making marks as they practise their early writing skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The learning environment is well organised and highly stimulating. Children have regular access to the outside area which is well designed and successfully equipped. This ensures children's physical health and development are well supported. Children learn to keep safe as staff provide consistent rules and boundaries. Children's behaviour is good. They concentrate well during self-selected activities and are motivated to learn. Staff encourage good manners and help children to play cooperatively. Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their self-care and independence skills through daily routines. Children follow good hygiene practices and learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress from their starting points and are well prepared for school. Older children are keen to learn, enjoy conversation and are eager to talk about their experiences. All children enjoy the activities available and show sustained levels of interest in what is provided, in relation to their age.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 254587 Local authority Nottingham City Inspection number 871546 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 145 Name of provider Janet Kerry Date of previous inspection 25 February 2011 Telephone number 0115 9624594

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Setting details

Ark Day Nursery was registered in 1998. It is one of three nurseries under the same private ownership and operates from a converted detached Victorian house in the Mapperley Park area of Nottingham. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, 15 hold appropriate early years qualifications, including one with Early Years Professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, closing only between Christmas and New Year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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