Aardvark Nursery and Preschool

Aardvark Nursery and Preschool Church Road, Harold Wood, Romford, RM3 0SH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 June 2016 Not applicable

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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

 Children enjoy playing with a range of good-quality resources. Staff effectively base activities on children's interests and learning needs, to help them explore freely, use their imagination and make good progress.  Staff carefully check children's progress and take prompt action to address any learning needs. The manager uses this information to monitor various groups of children, including those who receive additional funding, to ensure all children progress.  The management team has developed good relationships with local schools and other professionals, to ensure it meets the needs of all children, including during change.  Staff promote children's good health positively. For example, they offer daily access to the outdoors, teach children about healthy foods and promote good hygiene practices.  The management team constantly reflects on all aspects of the provision, and takes into account the views of parents and staff. It shows a good understanding of its

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This provision is good

strengths and priorities for improvement.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Sometimes, children have fewer opportunities to practise using all their muscles groups, in particular, to strengthen their larger movement skills.  Occasionally, staff do not always use all opportunities to extend children's learning further, in particular, when they are busy with other aspects of their roles, such as writing up their observations.

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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

 increase opportunities for children to benefit from a broader range of experiences to extend their physical development, in particular the use of their larger muscle groups and movement skills  review further the roles of staff, so they continue to give their undivided support and attention to children at all times.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities indoors and in the garden.  The inspector sampled observations, planning, assessments and children's registration records.  The inspector held conversations with the manager, staff, some parents and children during the inspection.  The inspector checked evidence of staff suitability to work with children, including their qualifications, and the provider's policies and procedures.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The management team monitors staff's ongoing suitability well. All staff have a good knowledge of safeguarding issues, and understand their roles and responsibilities to keep children safe. The management team oversees and supports staff practice, including their professional development, to improve continuously the quality of staff teaching and outcomes for children. For example, after recent training on language development, staff have implemented various techniques to help children who are learning to speak English as an additional language to settle and progress quicker. The management team provides a wide range of information to parents about the setting, so they know what to expect. Regular feedback about children's progress contributes well to a shared understanding of how to promote children's learning at home.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff understand the different ways in which children learn, and provide resources and activities that appeal to their interests. Staff make good use of daily experiences to stretch children's imagination and to help consolidate their existing knowledge. Staff increase children's vocabulary and communication skills in a meaningful way. For example, they talk to older children about their past experiences and skilfully use questions to help them think for themselves. Additionally, staff support babies to correctly pronounce and learn new words. All children demonstrate good listening and attention skills, such as when following simple instructions.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff make good use of planned experiences, such as home and settling-in visits, to gather information about children's daily routines and personal needs, to help them settle smoothly. Staff establish their roles as key persons well, and have a good knowledge and understanding of individual children's needs and interests. Staff assess risks carefully to keep children safe. The management team ensures there are always enough staff qualified in paediatric first-aid to provide appropriate support to children, particularly in the event of an injury or if they become ill. Leaders and staff prioritise the welfare of the children, and take all reasonable steps to ensure staff supervise and support children well.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress and they are gaining the necessary skills in preparation for their move to school. For example, they learn to recognise numbers and letters, and some can write their names and do basic sums. Staff skilfully support all children, including those who are exceeding in their learning. All children are independent and have many opportunities to make choices and decisions in their play. They learn to respect each other, appreciate differences and play well together.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY477801 Local authority Havering Inspection number 975375 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 1 - 4 Total number of places 72 Number of children on roll 64 Name of registered person Aardvark Childcare Company Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01708629918

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reference number

Aardvark Nursery and Preschool registered in 2014. It is situated in Harold Wood, in the London Borough of Havering. The setting operates each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The provider receives funding to offer free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs eight members of staff, including the manager, all of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 2 and above. The manager has achieved early years teaching status.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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