Ark in the Park Day Nursery

Inspection of Ark in the Park Day Nursery 20 Keyberry Park, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 1BZ

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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

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The provision is good

The setting is a friendly, warm and nurturing nursery. It is inviting for children to attend. Although the setting is currently in temporary accommodation, this has been adapted by the management to provide interesting and welcoming learning spaces for the children to feel comfortable and confident in. Healthy and nutritious lunches are provided by the on-site chef. Children enjoy chatting with their friends while eating, and the atmosphere is calm. Older children independently clear their food, plate and cutlery away after meals.

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The provision is good

Staff support the children's emotional and mental well-being well. Children have strong relationships with the staff and other children in the nursery. They know how to be kind and help their friends. Behaviour is good.

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The provision is good

The children have access to a well-equipped outdoor area where they can enjoy riding on tricycles and scooters. They explore balancing on planks and tyres, have plenty of tables and chairs to sit together outside, and a little house to play creatively. The nursery has two resident donkeys and two pigs, which the children enjoy talking and singing to. These animals also provide children with the opportunity to learn how to care for animals and how to feed them when they go to the enclosure one at a time, with staff.

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need to do better?

n Relationships between staff and children are strong. Staff know the children and their needs well. Children are happy and confident in their learning and make good progress as a result. n Managers have created strong and positive relationships with parents. Communication is strong, in person and online. Parents comment that the nursery gives children an excellent grounding to move easily into primary education. n Managers plan an ambitious curriculum and share what they want the children to learn with the staff. Staff are well supported to plan the activities in the classrooms. Activities are often linked to the local environment and the children's interests. For example, children brought leaves in this week, which led to a leaf- painting activity in two of the rooms. Children engage in their work and develop creative skills and an understanding of nature. n Children go on trips out to local places with staff, including the local park and

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need to do better?

supermarket. They learn about their local community and how to help others. For example, children recently visited the local park with the Decoy Rangers to plant trees and help tidy the park. n Staff support children's independence well by providing self-serving drink areas, child-height coat hooks and opportunities to help prepare the play rooms for

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need to do better?

7 September 2022 lunch and snack times. Older children receive effective guidance on self- dressing, which helps prepare them for school, as well as fostering their independence in doing things for themselves. n The managers and staff have developed an effective focus on emotional well- being and mental health for the children. As a result, children are confident in speaking about their feelings and enjoy exploring emotions creatively, drawing what an angry or happy monster might look like, for example. n The managers and staff have given effective support to children with delays in physical development, post Covid-19 lockdowns. They have extended the types of physical play and equipment available, for example buying more tricycles, ride-on toys and balls in the baby rooms. This focus has been successful. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. Guidance is well planned, and staff are strongly supported by the

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need to do better?

nursery's SEND coordinator. Appropriate and timely referrals are made, and any additional funding is used effectively. For example, a sensorial tent has been bought to help children relax and manage their emotions. n Managers have a good focus on staff learning and development. They are aware of weaknesses to leadership in the 'Big Baby Room' and have plans to change this. However, currently, staff are not receiving the support they need with regards to how they lead a room and its team. As a result, the room lacks direction, and children miss opportunities to develop new skills. n Managers and staff have developed an environment which supports the children's language and communication skills. Staff use rich language, which extends the children's learning. All the rooms have a focus on reading and establishing a love of books in the children. Interactions between children and staff are positive, but at times staff in the 'Big Baby Room' do not consistently

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need to do better?

interact meaningfully with children. As a result, there are missed opportunities to extend learning further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers follow a rigorous and effective recruitment procedure and conduct regular appraisals and suitability checks. Staff inductions are thorough, and staff feel well supported. New staff feel confident in their working environment and what is expected of them with regards to safeguarding. They are provided with training and have access to good-quality professional development. Managers have created suitable safeguarding arrangements. Staff are confident in how to put these into practice. The setting makes appropriate referrals to other agencies when necessary.

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should:

7 September 2022 n provide more directed leadership in all rooms, particularly in the 'Big Baby Room', to develop staff skills further n develop staff skills in the 'Big Baby Room' so that they engage in meaningful interactions more consistently with the children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 154066 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10234263 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

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inspection

Total number of places 78 Number of children on roll 140 Name of registered person Ark In The Park Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01626 324800 Date of previous inspection 27 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Ark in the Park Day Nursery registered in 2001 and is located on the outskirts of Newton Abbot, Devon. It opens on weekdays, from 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged three and four years. There are 24 members of staff who are employed to work directly with the children. Of these, 17 hold relevant qualifications to at least level 2. The manager has a level 3 qualification, and one member of staff holds early years professional status. The nursery also employs a chef, assistant cook, cleaner and an administrator.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector spoke with the staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector read feedback from parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the deputy manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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.

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Inspection activities

7 September 2022 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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