Noah's Ark Childcare Centre

Noah's Ark Childcare Centre 20-24 Lucas Terrace, Princerock, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 9LD

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31 October 2017 19 May 2015

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision is inadequate

 Staff do not have a secure enough understanding of their responsibilities in relation to the Prevent Duty. They are not fully aware of signs that suggest children and their families may be at risk from extremist views. In addition, senior staff do not always recognise the importance of sharing all information with other agencies to safeguard children.  Assessments for some of the children are not accurate. Staff do not have a good enough understanding of what these children know and can do when planning for the next stages in their learning. At times, staff do not extend children’s learning sufficiently. Some activities, particularly those for babies, are mundane and fail to capture their attention.  Staff do not use risk assessments consistently to help identify and minimise hazards.  Staff are not effectively deployed to meet the needs of all children. Although they meet the adult:child ratios, there are times when children are not supported in their learning.

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This provision is inadequate

As a result, children do not make the best possible progress.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff are warm and caring. Children have secure attachments and seek cuddles and reassurance. Staff effectively settle children that are new to the setting.  Children benefit from the well resourced outdoor area. Older children move between the indoor and outdoor environment depending on what they choose to play with. Children’s physical development is well supported.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and the Childcare Register the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure that all staff are aware of the Prevent Duty guidelines and the appropriate procedures 21/11/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that all relevant information is shared with other agencies to safeguard children 21/11/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that staff are deployed effectively to support children in their learning 05/12/2017

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Due Date

 make sure the quality of teaching is consistently good to help children make good progress and make sure that children's assessment records are accurate to enable staff to effectively plan the next stages in children's learning 05/12/2017

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Due Date

 review how staff use risk assessments to make sure they are consistent in their approach to identifying and minimising hazards to children. 21/11/2017

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Inspection activities

 There were two inspectors carrying out this inspection.  The inspectors carried out two joint observations, one with the nominated individual and another with the manager. They discussed the findings.  The inspectors held a meeting with senior management to discuss self-evaluation, staffing and the monitoring of the educational programs. They review documentation such as staff records and children's learning records.  The inspectors spoke to parents to gain their views.  The inspectors spoke to staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection and observed staff and children interacting in the playrooms and the outdoor area.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is ineffective. Not all staff have an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding, including current legislation, such as the Prevent Duty. Managers and staff are confident in identifying potential child protection concerns. However, some senior staff do not share all relevant information, including that which is historical, with other agencies to help safeguard children. Risk assessments are not consistent. Staff have not considered the risk posed to younger children by some of the activities intended for older children. For example, young children put small pegs and pieces of straw in their mouths; staff have failed to identify these are choking hazards. There are some systems to monitor the educational programs. The manager regularly reviews children's assessment records to identify any gaps in their learning. However, some of these are not accurate. This means the manager does not have a precise enough understanding of how well children are

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

progressing. Staff build positive relationships with parents. They are in the process of introducing an online system to enable parents to access their children's learning records at any time.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

The quality of teaching is too varied. For example, some staff working with the babies do not successfully engage them in purposeful play. On occasions when a child’s key staff member is busy with nursery routines, remaining staff do not know the child well enough to be able to meet their needs. Some activities provided for older children are more appropriate. For example, they make their own musical instruments and listen to and identify different sounds. However, on other occasions staff do not effectively support children. For example, staff identify some children need help with their communication skills; however, they miss opportunities to help these children. Consequently, children lose interest in their learning and wander off.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Weak procedures for safeguarding mean that children’s safety and wellbeing is not protected and children’s safety is compromised. In the baby room, staff have not considered that young children are able to open the cupboards and can trap their fingers. Older children develop their own ideas. For example, they enjoy using real fruit and vegetables in their market shop. Children benefit from healthy and nutritious meals that take into account their dietary needs.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Outcomes for children vary. Some children are learning the skills they need for school. For example, there are encouraged to make independent choices in their play and pour their own drinks at snack time. However, children are not consistently challenged in their learning to help them make the best possible progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 117135 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 1116559 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 - 8 Total number of places 38 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person Noah's Ark Childcare Centres Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 19 May 2015 Telephone number 01752 601909

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reference number

Noah's Ark Childcare Centre registered in 1996. It is one of a chain of nurseries owned and operated by Noah's Ark Childcare Centres. It is located in Prince Rock, Plymouth, Devon. The setting is open each weekday, from 7.30am until 6pm, all year round. The setting is in receipt of funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four. There are eight members of staff, of whom seven hold appropriate early years qualifications to level 2 and 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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