The Ark Pre-School, Bromley Christian Centre

Inspection of The Ark Pre-School, Bromley Christian Centre 2 Masons Hill, Bromley, Kent BR2 9HA

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision is good

Staff have caring, nurturing relationships with children and value them highly as individuals. They take time to get to know children really well and meet their needs readily. Children settle securely. Children are happy and motivated to learn. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. They use effective strategies to support children's behaviour. For example, staff identify and remove triggers for negative behaviour and set group rules so that children are aware of expectations. Children behave well. Staff help children to gain good independence skills. For instance, children get tissues to wipe their noses and dispose of them appropriately. Older children pour their own drinks and put on their coats. Staff support younger children to gain these skills. Children learn to share and take turns effectively. For example, children take turns as they play group games and as they take turns on wheeled toys outdoors. Staff help children to learn about people from

p.2

The provision is good

different cultures and religions. For instance, they read stories containing multicultural characters and talk to the children about special religious or cultural events. Staff provide good ways for children to learn about and to manage their feelings. For example, children select different emotions on face cards to show how they are feeling when they arrive at the nursery. Staff talk to them about feelings and how to care for themselves well.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff give children a wide range of engaging activities linked well to their interests. They observe children regularly and work out what they need to learn next. Staff use this information well to ensure that children are appropriately challenged. Children make good progress. n Staff teach children good early literacy skills. For example, children recognise and select their names when they arrive in the morning. Staff support younger children to do this by adding their photograph to name cards. Staff read lots of stories to children and sing a variety of nursery rhymes and songs which help children learn new words. n Staff support children's creative development well. For instance, children are free to select tools and materials of their choice from a wide selection to create whatever they wish. They enjoy painting and creating collages with different textures and materials. n Children have good early mathematical skills. They recognise numbers and count

p.2

need to do better?

securely. Children learn to add and subtract, for instance as they sing number rhymes and songs. They recognise a variety of shapes. n Staff support the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities successfully. They have effective links with parents and health professionals to exchange information and, together, they make plans for children with suitable goals. Staff keep a close eye on children's progress and

p.2

need to do better?

29 January 2020 work successfully to promote best outcomes for children. n Staff have effective links with parents and others involved in children's care and learning. They give parents regular updates on their children's progress. Staff provide good ways for parents to support children's learning, such a by loaning out books for parents to read with their children. n The manager provides good levels of support to staff. She meets with staff individually to discuss work and training needs. For example, staff attended a course on developing outdoor learning, which led to improvements in this area. The manager supports staff well-being, for instance by giving staff planning time away from the children each week. She monitors the nursery well, for example by checking all planning and assessment. The manager reviews children's progress closely to identify those needing extra support. n At times, some staff do not make the most of opportunities to consistently

p.2

need to do better?

extend children's thinking and language skills during play activities. n Children have healthy daily routines, including eating well and taking regular physical activity, such as climbing, jumping, and moving in different ways. However, staff do not consistently develop children's understanding of the value of these routines. They have not fully developed children's understanding of how to be safe online, including the need for limited screen time.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff know the signs and symptoms to be aware of and procedures to follow should they have concerns regarding a child's welfare. They receive regular training updates to keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date. Staff are vigilant about children's safety. They carry out robust checks in all parts of the nursery, including toys and resources, to help prevent hazards. The recruitment process is comprehensive and involves thorough background checks on staff to ensure suitability for their roles.

p.3

should:

n make the most of opportunities to extend children's language and thinking skills during play activities n increase children's understanding of the value of their current healthy routines, including eating well, taking regular physical exercise and ways to keep safe on the internet, including the need for limited screen time.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 137365 Local authority Bromley Inspection number 10061914 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 47 Name of registered person Bromley Christian Centre

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 020 8460 1660 Date of previous inspection 5 May 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Ark Pre-School, Bromley Christian Centre registered in 1981. It is located in central Bromley in the London Borough of Bromley. The nursery is open on Monday to Friday from 9.15am to 4pm during term time only. There are 10 staff members, including the manager, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. This includes one staff member who holds qualified teacher status, the manager who holds a level 6 qualification in early years, seven members of staff who hold a level 3 qualification in childcare, and one staff member who holds a level 2 qualification in childcare. The nursery receives funding for free early years education for children age two, three and four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity, with the manager. n The inspector went on a learning walk around the nursery with the manager and discussed the curriculum. n Interaction between staff and children was observed and the inspector spoke to children when appropriate. n The inspector tracked the activities and experiences of several children. n The inspector considered the views of parents and staff during the inspection. n The inspector checked some documentation and held a discussion with the manager.

p.5

Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

29 January 2020 regulates and inspects to 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6