The Ark Nursery Littleborough And Space Out-Of-School Club

The Ark Nursery Littleborough And Space Out-Of-School Club Featherstall Road, Littleborough OL15 8DH

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Inspection date 8 July 2019 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1 Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision is good

n Senior leaders support the manager closely in her unceasing drive to offer a provision of the highest standard. Together, they carefully evaluate the quality of the nursery and consult with parents and children when planning future changes. This has resulted in well-targeted plans for the future development of the nursery. n Staff observe and precisely assess children's achievements. They use this information, along with their understanding of children's interests, to provide a stimulating variety of activities that children find highly motivating. n Recent refinements to the planning and assessment of children's learning mean that staff quickly identify any emerging gaps in children's learning. They swiftly ensure that all children receive the support they need to make good progress. n Children delight in the superb opportunities to play and learn in the vibrant outdoor area. They enthusiastically identify bugs in the 'woodland explorers' area. Children of

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This provision is good

all ages play together harmoniously. For example, older children help toddlers to pump water into buckets before carrying them to water the plants. n Parents are exceptionally well supported to contribute information about what their child can do at home. They describe how they value the exceptional support that staff offer to their families. For example, parents appreciate opportunities to attend training sessions on a range of child development topics, alongside staff. n Occasionally, staff do not make the most of opportunities to further extend older children's counting and calculation skills as they play.

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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 support staff to develop their teaching skills further, so that they continually make the most of opportunities to further extend the counting and calculation skills of older children.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and they discussed their findings. n The inspector held a meeting with the senior management team. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The manager observes staff regularly and meets with them to discuss aspects of their role. With the help of room leaders, she provides a wide range of mentoring and coaching opportunities. Staff attend a variety of training opportunities that are targeted towards their professional development needs. For example, recent training in language development has supported staff to enhance the communication skills of the youngest children. Safeguarding is effective. Staff can identify issues that may mean a child is at risk of harm. They have an accurate understanding of local procedures and know to act promptly should they have any concerns about a child's welfare. The environment is safe, clean and secure. Frequent risk assessments are undertaken and any potential hazards are minimised or removed. Staff skilfully teach children to manage their own risks. For example, while walking to school, children are reminded to look out for nettles

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

along the path and to remember the road safety skills they have been taught when crossing the road. This helps to protect children's safety and welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Well-qualified staff play alongside children and support children's emerging language skills effectively. They enthusiastically talk to children about what they see them doing and introduce new words as they play. For example, when talking about the roots on a plant, staff introduce the word 'nutrients' and carefully explain what this means as they discuss with pre-school children what a plant needs to enable it to grow. Babies confidently explore their surroundings and delight as they hold puppets when joining in with singing songs and rhymes. Older children share stories and talk about the pictures as they turn the pages of their favourite books.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Staff provide a warm, welcoming and vibrant environment in which children thrive. Children develop extremely warm attachments to staff through the fully embedded key- person system. Staff are extremely attentive and have a detailed knowledge of each child's care needs. They are superb role models who work closely with parents to develop consistent behaviour-management strategies. Staff are always on hand to praise good behaviour and to help to empower children to speak out and manage the behaviours of others when it is unwanted. Staff understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle and encourage children and their families to participate in a range of initiatives designed to support them in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For example, staff share information from a range of health services in the local area and host a variety of events for parents.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are confident and active learners. They enjoy trying to solve simple problems. Younger children learn to share and take turns. Older children develop their own rules when playing games. Toddlers delight in making marks with brushes and water outside. Older children safely use a range of tools, such as scissors, as they confidently cut paper. All children make good progress from the time they start at nursery and are well prepared for their next stage of learning and eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY549006 Local authority Rochdale Inspection number 10114004 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 96 Number of children on roll 339 Name of registered person The Ark Littleborough Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01706 390000

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reference number

The Ark Nursery Littleborough And Space Out-Of-School Club registered in 2017. The nursery employs 34 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status, two are qualified at level 6, two at level 4, 23 are qualified at level 3 and four at level 2 and one is unqualified. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.15am until 6.15pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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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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