The Ark Montessori And Forest School

The Ark Montessori And Forest School The Scout Hut, London, W4 1AT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 June 2018 Not applicable

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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

 Staff offer a warm and welcoming child-centred environment where children settle readily and make friends with which to play. Children feel safe and behave well.  Staff are sensitive to the needs of all children and introduce them to new activities. Children make good progress in relation to their individual starting points. They are well prepared for the next stages of their learning, including starting school.  Children have good opportunities to learn about different people and their communities. For example, children learn about the culture of African people and eagerly join in multicultural songs.  Children have wonderful experiences to explore the natural world where they learn about how plants grow and develop.  Staff work collaboratively with parents and relevant agencies to ensure that children receive the appropriate support they need.  Managers regularly monitor and evaluate the quality of their practice to ensure that

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This provision is good

children achieve well and staff meet their care and learning needs effectively.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always offer many experiences to extend and build on children's understanding and skills in using everyday technology.  The management team does not fully check the progress of the different groups of children, to help identify less-obvious gaps in their learning.

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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 further the opportunities for children to develop their understanding and use of information and communication technology  build on monitoring to track the progress of different groups of children, to spot any less-obvious gaps in their learning quickly.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in all parts of the nursery, including the outdoor provision.  The inspector spoke to some members of staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and held meetings with the management team.  The inspector carried out joint observations with the manager.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to during the inspection and reviewed parents' written comments and suggestions.  The inspector looked at children's records and the nursery's policies and procedures, including those related to the suitability of staff.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The provider uses robust recruitment and induction procedures to help ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Staff have a good knowledge of safeguarding practices and follow the appropriate reporting procedures to protect children. Managers and staff closely check each child's progress. When identifying gaps in children's learning, they provide extra support to help individual children to catch up. Managers observe staff regularly and offer them specific feedback to help them develop the quality of their practice. Staff attend courses that strengthen their skills and benefit children. They work effectively with other providers when the time comes for children to move on. Managers and staff take into account the views of parents, children and outside professionals to improve their service continuously.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff collate relevant information from parents to assess what their children know and can do. They observe children closely and use such information to plan for their next steps. Staff explain activities well to children. Children are well motivated to learn. They use their imagination well. For example, children paint dry pasta shells with different coloured paints and explain what they have made. Children are proud to show their artistic work to staff, who praise them for their good work. They enjoy songs and rhymes and clap their hands to music. Children eagerly join in story time and share their thoughts about characters and events. Staff interact well with children and act on their suggestions to support their communication and language skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff have strong bonds with children and support their social and emotional skills effectively. For example, they share their behaviour procedures with parents and children so that they know what is expected. Children learn to share toys fairly, take turns and help tidy resources. Staff help children adopt healthy living. For instance, children know that fruit and water are good for them. They enjoy fresh air and exercise in the outdoors and learn to manoeuvre bicycles and scooters safely. Staff conduct regular and thorough checks on the premises and resources to help children remain safe.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and any gaps in learning are closing. Young children learn to socialise with others and handle resources with care. Children listen attentively and respond well to instructions. Older children know letters and the sounds they represent and can write words, such as their names, correctly. Children are able to sort and match objects and use good mathematical language to describe shapes and quantities of objects in the environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY498049 Local authority Ealing Inspection number 1039843 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Katherine King

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07813003267

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reference number

The Ark Montessori And Forest School registered in 2016. The nursery opens on Monday to Thursday from 9.15am to 3pm and on Friday from 9.15am to 12.15pm, during school term time only. The provider receives funding to offer free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are seven members of staff. Of these, five staff hold relevant early years qualifications, ranging from level 3 to 6. The nursery follows the Montessori educational philosophy.

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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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