The Ark Day Care Nursery

The Ark Day Care Nursery 48 Grosvenor Road, Dagenham, Essex, RM8 1NL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 7 September 2017 8 January 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 Good 2

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This provision is good

 The manager ensures staff have a clear understanding of their responsibilities to meet children's interests and needs. She encourages good working relationships to ensure staff implement the setting's policies and procedures effectively.  The manager evaluates the provision well. She takes into consideration feedback from staff, parents and children to identify ways to maintain good practice.  Staff work closely with parents to share information about children's care and learning regularly. They welcome parents' involvement in opportunities, such as going on trips and extending children's activities at home.  Staff observe and plan children's learning well. They provide a range of resources and opportunities for children to learn and to help them make good progress.  Children are happy at the setting. Younger children develop close relationships with their key person. Older children form close friendships with other children and learn to

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff miss some opportunities to give younger children the time they need to respond to questions and the encouragement to join group discussion.  Although staff teach children right from wrong, they do not keep children engaged during the change of activities and routines to discourage unwanted behaviour.

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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

 give younger children sufficient time to respond to questions and encourage them to join group discussion, to extend their communication and language skills further  ensure children remain engaged during the change to their daily routines and activities, to discourage unwanted behaviour.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching in the playrooms and the outdoor play area, and looked at some of the children’s assessment records and planning documentation.  The inspector held discussions with the manager and leader throughout the day.  The inspector held discussions with staff about their roles and assessed their understanding of meeting the requirements of the early years foundation stage.  The inspector took account of the children’s and parents’ views during the inspection.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff have a secure understanding of their role to safeguard and protect children in their care. They know how to report concerns about a child's welfare to relevant authorities. The manager follows thorough recruitment and vetting procedures to employ suitable staff to work with children. She provides ongoing supervision and professional development opportunities to enhance staff's practice and improve children's experiences further. For example, the manager gives staff support and guidance on how to implement creative activities with younger children to extend their learning. Staff monitor children's progress well. They know how to take prompt action and seek support from other professionals to close gaps in children's development. Parents provide positive feedback about the setting, highlighting staff's friendliness and children's learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff assess children's development and use this information to plan interesting activities to support their learning well. They provide physical resources for children to develop their large and small muscles successfully. Staff encourage children to explore with different materials, such as paint, sand and pasta, to support their creative skills. Children use their imagination well during role-play activities, for instance, younger children pretend to cook and eat. Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their early literacy and mathematical skills effectively. For example, older children listen to stories, sing nursery rhymes and count resources. Staff support children's understanding of the world well. They arrange external trips for children to learn about the local community.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children settle well at the setting. They develop good personal and social skills. They learn to do things on their own, such as washing their hands and feeding themselves confidently. Children are familiar with the environment, and move around freely to choose and lead their own play. They are clear about their own interests and let staff know what they want to do next. Staff offer praise and encouragement to motivate children, and to let them know what they do well. They support children to develop good health and physical skills. For example, they ensure children eat nutritious meals and access outdoor play regularly. Staff ensure older children have the opportunities to develop an awareness of the similarities and differences of people and families.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress with their development and acquire the skills they need to support the next stages in their learning, including moving on to school. For example, older children recognise numbers, shapes and sizes well. They identify letters and begin to practise writing successfully. Younger children demonstrate good mobility and coordination. They develop their independence and confidence well. They learn to operate simple equipment and technological toys.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY450091 Local authority Barking & Dagenham Inspection number 1062801 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 69 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Maxine Aboagye

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 8 January 2013 Telephone number 0208 984 1691

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reference number

The Ark Day Care Nursery registered in 2012. It is situated in Dagenham, within the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The setting operates Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.30pm, throughout most of the year. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting employs seven members of staff, including the manager. Of these, four staff hold early years qualifications at level 3.

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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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