The Ark Nursery

The Ark Nursery St Martins Centre, Ellerbeck, Stoneydelph, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B77 4JA

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 September 2016 3 December 2012

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The motivated manager clearly understands the value of continuous quality improvement. As a consequence, there are robust systems in place to manage any staff under performance and the quality of teaching is consistently good.  Staff provide a rich range of activities for children to freely explore and investigate, along with good opportunities for children to actively learn.  Staff place a high priority on consulting and sharing information with parents during the initial home visit made by the staff. Parents are kept very well informed about their children's progress and there are ample opportunities for parents to be involved in their children's learning.  Staff place a clear focus on fostering close relationships with children and promoting their well-being. Consequently, children are happy and show a real sense of belonging.  There are robust systems in place in relation to staff recruitment to ensure they are

p.1

This provision is good

suitable and the nursery environment is safe and secure.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Systems to monitor practice and staff performance management systems are not highly effective in raising the quality of teaching and care to an exceptional level.  During some activities, staff do not meticulously plan and focus precisely on those children identified as being in need of support to help them make the very best possible progress.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 enhance further the monitoring systems in place and raise the quality of teaching and experiences on offer to an exceptional level  place a sharper focus on raising further the achievement of those children who have been identified as being in need of support.

p.2

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 carried out a joint observation and held a meeting with the manager.  The inspector 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 and looked at written feedback provided by parents and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager is supported well by the committee members and there are well-focused improvement plans in place to raise practice further. There is an effective cycle of staff supervision and training in place to ensure teaching across the nursery is consistently good. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff are suitably trained in child protection issues and safeguarding children is given good priority. Parents are regularly consulted and they are impressed with the commitment the staff show in getting to know their children. Parents have ample opportunities to get involved in supporting their children's learning at home and in nursery.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff clearly understand the importance of using an effective observation and assessment system to help them challenge children's learning. Staff know their assigned key children well and use children's next steps in learning to help them plan fun and challenging activities. Small-group work is used well by staff to support children's communication and language skills and help them learn to share and take turns. For example, children practise these skills when being encouraged to consider the name of the instruments they have chosen and the sound they make. Staff increase children's vocabulary well by introducing and reinforcing new words, such as high, low, loud and quiet. The indoor and outdoor spaces are used well by staff for children to be imaginative, active and creative learners. For example, children thoroughly enjoy adopting roles in the pretend builder's yard. They are keen to use their senses as they explore the dough and paint.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Promoting children's personal, social and emotional development is given high priority. The assigned key-person system is used effectively to help staff build a good rapport with parents and their child during the home visit. Staff use the Me and my family board to help children talk about their families and to respect any differences in the way they live. The routine is organised with the needs of children in mind. For example, children are enthusiastic about being the daily helper as they organise the snack and take on extra responsibility. Staff teach children about how to stay healthy. For example, children decide which foods are healthy for their teeth as they stick them onto their pre-cut paper teeth. Children are well behaved, easily follow instructions and learn how to keep safe. For example, children know when the music plays it is time to tidy away the activities and know how to keep safe on the stairs.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

All children, including two-years-olds receiving additional funding, make good progress from their starting points. Children who speak English as an additional language catch up quickly due to strong partnership working with parents. Children confidently use their first language, alongside English. Children show a fondness for literacy and mathematical activities and acquire the key skills required in preparation for school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 218256 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 1059433 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person The Ark Nursery Committee

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 3 December 2012 Telephone number 01827 897993

p.4

reference number

The Ark Nursery opened in 1992. It is run by a committee and operates from St Martin's Church Centre in Stoneydelph, Tamworth, Staffordshire. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 9.15am until 3.30pm and a lunch club operates from 11.45am until 1pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs five members of staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 4, three hold a qualification at level 3 and one is unqualified.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

reference number

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

p.5