Noah's Ark Nursery School

Noah's Ark Nursery School The Bristol Huts, Birchington Primary School, Park Lane, Birchington, Kent, CT7 0AS

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 January 2017 27 March 2013

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

 Children have access to a wide range of toys that support their learning and interests well. They make good progress in relation to their starting points.  Partnerships with parents are good. Parents are informed regularly about their children's achievements and receive good guidance to support learning at home.  The manager and staff implement good safeguarding procedures that keep children safe and meet their care and well-being needs effectively. For example, staff are deployed well throughout the day and constantly risk assess the environment and resources used.  The manager uses self-evaluation systems well to help identify strengths and areas for improvement. The nursery staff have successfully addressed all recommendations set at the last inspection to maintain good outcomes for children.  Staff use observations and assessments to monitor children's learning and development. They plan a range of activities and experiences that focus on children's

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, staff do not encourage children to practise making marks and develop early writing skills when engaged in a variety of play activities.  Occasionally, staff do not provide appropriate levels of challenge to help children extend their good knowledge and thinking skills.

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

 review and improve the range of opportunities offered that enable children to explore as they make marks and extend early writing skills in all areas of their play  support staff further to improve their skills and knowledge to ensure they fully extend and challenge children's learning.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including risk assessments, children's assessment records, and policies and procedures.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector observed staff and spoke to them at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector spoke to parents and carers about their views on the service they receive.  The inspector talked to the manager about the nursery and discussed plans in place to move the practice forward to improve outcomes for children.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager fully understands child protection issues and the procedures to follow if they have any concerns regarding children's welfare. Strong recruitment procedures ensure staff are suitably checked before they work with children. The manager follows thorough induction procedures to ensure that new staff and those taking on new roles are assisted fully. All staff have regular training opportunities and one- to-one support meetings to help develop their practice. The manager monitors and tracks children's development and progress to help identify any gaps in learning for staff to address. Good use is made of additional funding to improve outcomes for all children. The manager has strong links with other early years professionals to provide a continuity of care and learning. For example, children have regular opportunities to use the school facilities on site to become familiar with the environment and meet staff.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children have plenty of opportunities to choose what they want to do. They develop good mathematical skills. For instance, staff count with them, introduce simple addition and compare the size of towers as children play. Children make strong progress in their speech development. For example, staff use commentary and repeat new words to help extend their vocabulary. Children benefit from engaging in a wide variety of experiences to expand their interest in the world around them. For example, they use public transport and enjoy trips to parks and attractions to gain a good awareness of their community.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children build strong bonds with all staff, who follow secure settling-in procedures that support children's emotional well-being. Lunchtimes are social occasions where all children come together to eat their packed lunches. Staff support any special dietary requirements and teach children about healthy lifestyles. Children benefit from daily opportunities to practise their physical skills, such as climbing and riding on bikes to develop their coordination and muscle strength. Staff are positive role models for children, for instance they give children clear, positive instructions so that they understand expectations of behaviour. Children's behaviour is appropriate for their age.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning and development. They develop the skills they need for their future learning and eventual move to school. For example, they listen and join in activities at group time. Children are sociable, confident and independent. For instance, most children can manage to put on their coats and are happy to talk to others and express their needs. Children learn to respect and value people's differences.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 127411 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1061328 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 - 8 Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 101 Name of registered person Jacqueline Alice Mary Marsh

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 27 March 2013 Telephone number 01843 843135

p.4

reference number

Noah's Ark Nursery School registered in 1994. It operates in the grounds of Birchington Primary School, in Birchington, Kent. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm, generally during term time only. It offers before and after school sessions and a holiday club for children aged up to 11 years. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 17 staff; of these, 13 hold a relevant childcare qualification at level 2 or above.

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