Ark in the Park Day Nursery

Ark in the Park Day Nursery 20 Keyberry Park, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 1BZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 February 2017 21 November 2013

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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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 Staff know the children very well and meet their care needs superbly, particularly the youngest children. For example, they immediately recognise signs when babies become tired or hungry, and promptly adapt their plans to meet children's needs before they get upset. All children form extremely secure attachments with the staff team.  Staff support children's learning effectively and plan stimulating activities that capture their attention and interest. Children are very eager to learn and join in, and make good progress from their starting points.  Children enthusiastically take responsibility for their own care needs. For example, they show strong determination as they try to fasten their coat and slice fruit for snacks.  Staff provide good support for children's communication and language. For instance, they routinely use signs and visual aids, and give older children enough time to consider and respond to questions to enable them to share their thoughts and ideas.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The manager does not support staff as well as she could, so they make the most of all learning opportunities to extend children's learning further.  Although the manager tracks individual children's progress well and is developing how she monitors learning between groups of children, at present, these are not entirely successful to recognise and target all gaps and patterns in learning swiftly.

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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

 strengthen the arrangements for supporting staff's professional development, so they make the most of all learning opportunities, to extend children's learning further  make full use of assessment information to monitor and track the progress of groups of children more effectively, to identify and target potential gaps and patterns in their learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed the available resources and play areas, and observed children's play and learning both inside and outdoors.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager to evaluate the quality of teaching.  The inspector took account of the views of staff, children and parents spoken to throughout the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the provider and manager at an appropriate time during the inspection.  The inspector sampled documentation, including staff suitability checks, children's learning records, and self-evaluation.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The provider and manager use self-evaluation well to reflect on their effectiveness and target areas to develop. For example, they have worked hard with staff to create a calm environment, which has had a superb impact on children's personal and emotional well- being. Overall, staff receive some good support from the manager to strengthen their teaching skills. For example, staff have successfully used training to develop their knowledge of causes of inappropriate behaviour and how to manage this effectively. Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff have a clear understanding of safeguarding issues and know how to report any concerns about a child's welfare. They complete thorough daily checks to monitor the safety of the environment for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff accurately assess children's achievements and plan challenging activities that support their good progress. They work closely with parents, other settings and external agencies to provide good individual support for every child. Children benefit greatly from an interesting range of activities, and are keen to explore the available resources and take part in activities. For example, toddlers enjoy using resources during music sessions as they sing their favourite songs, developing a secure awareness of sounds and rhythm. Older children excitedly use their senses to identify mystery objects in a bag, which helps to organise their thoughts as they share their ideas with others. Staff support babies well to learn to crawl and stand, such as by placing toys just out of their reach.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children are extremely happy, confident and secure at the setting. For example, babies receive instant reassurance and cuddles from staff when they wake, so they are cheerful and ready to engage in play soon after. Older children spontaneously stand up in front of others to sing nursery rhymes. Staff are excellent role models and very effectively help children to understand the boundaries and expectations. Children behave exceptionally well, sharing and taking turns amiably during play and using good manners without prompt. The rich learning environment offers very exciting opportunities for children to explore and be creative. For instance, older children delight in staff's enthusiasm and participation as they play imaginatively together at the 'pancake shop'.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children embrace opportunities to play and explore. They are creative and confident learners. Children develop good early reading and writing skills, and learn to count and recognise numerals. From a young age, children develop a keen interest in books and often choose to look at these with staff. All children gain the skills that prepare them well for future learning and school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 154066 Local authority Devon Inspection number 1061545 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 - 4 Total number of places 76 Number of children on roll 128 Name of registered person Ark In The Park Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 21 November 2013 Telephone number 01626 324800

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reference number

Ark in the Park Day Nursery registered in 2001 on the outskirts of Newton Abbot, Devon. It opens on weekdays from 8am to 6pm for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged three and four years. There are 28 members of staff who are employed to work directly with the children. Of these, 25 hold relevant qualifications to at least level 2. The manager has a level 6 qualification, one member of staff holds qualified teacher status and another holds early years professional status. The nursery also employs a chef, assistant cook, cleaner and an administrator.

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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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