The Ark at Sherwood

The Ark at Sherwood The Annex, The Sherwood School, Abbotts Road, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 1JS

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Inspection date 15 October 2018 Previous inspection date 12 February 2016

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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The provision is good

n The manager has a clear vision for the nursery and evaluates practice routinely. She uses feedback from parents, staff and children to identify and develop areas for improvement. n Staff use a variety of effective methods to engage parents and involve them in all aspects of the nursery. For example, staff regularly discuss children's achievements at parents meetings and invite them to attend workshops. n The quality of teaching is good. Children make good progress in their learning, and they engage in enjoyable and exciting activities that motivate and challenge them. n The key-person system is effective. Children benefit from secure attachments with staff and develop high levels of self-confidence and self-esteem. n There are good procedures to support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals involved in children's lives so that consistency in children's care and learning is provided.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n Occasionally, staff miss opportunities to help children to extend their thinking and learning skills. n Staff do not make the most of all opportunities to develop further children's understanding of the benefits of adopting healthy lifestyles.

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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

n provide more opportunities for children to extend their thinking and learning skills n develop more opportunities for children to learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector spoke to the deputy manager and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector engaged with the children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector observed staff interaction with the children during indoor and outdoor play, snack time, lunchtime and hygiene routines. n The inspector engaged in a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector sampled various documents, including risk assessments, the self- evaluation form, children's records and a range of policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a good understanding of how to keep children safe and the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child's well-being. The manager implements effective recruitment and vetting arrangements to ensure staff are suitable to work with children and have a clear understanding of their roles. Staff benefit from regular supervision meetings and training. The manager supports staff effectively to develop their knowledge and skills. She monitors children's development regularly to identify and close any gaps in their learning. For example, it was noticed that children with English as an additional language were not performing as well as they could. As a result, staff have introduced strategies, such as language groups to support these children further.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff regularly observe and assess children's development, planning for their individual next steps in learning and continued good progress. Children eagerly join in play activities alongside staff who are very engaging and enthusiastic. They enjoy singing songs with staff, using a range of props and different musical instruments. Children take delight in being creative and explore using tools and different materials. For example, younger children investigate play dough and use different tools to cut different shapes. Older children use a range of equipment, such as paper, twigs and straw to create pictures from their favourite stories.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well, they take turns with others during play and are well mannered. Staff are positive role models for children. They set good examples and provide clear explanations to support children's understanding of positive behaviour. Children develop a good understanding of the diverse world in which they live, and have good opportunities to learn about different festivals and cultures. Children have good opportunities to extend their physical skills and enjoy playing in the well-resourced garden.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are happy, confident and enjoy their learning. They develop good numeracy skills. For example, they use mathematical language to describe and compare structures they have made. Younger children begin to develop early literacy skills. They recognise letters that are important to them and find their own names when self-registering. Children develop good skills that prepare them well for the next stage of learning and for moving on to school. For example, they independently serve themselves at snack time and pour their own drinks.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY394204 Local authority Merton Inspection number 10074259 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person The Ark at Sherwood Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 12 February 2016 Telephone number 020 8764 5526

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reference number

The Ark at Sherwood Ltd registered in 2009 and is open from Monday to Friday, 8.30am until 3.45pm, during term times only. The setting receives funding for early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs nine staff who care directly for children. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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