Ark Start, John Archer

Inspection of Ark Start, John Archer Ark John Archer Primary Academy, Plough Road, London SW11 2AA

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are quick to separate from their parents at this nurturing setting. They thoroughly enjoy coming into nursery and feel happy and safe as they play and explore. Children benefit from a well-organised environment, and staff plan carefully to meet their interests and needs. Children make independent choices about what they want to play with, with support from visuals used by staff so that they know what is available. This helps with their level of engagement in the activities available. Toddlers repeatedly pour water into water wheels and watch with fascination as the paddles spin around. Older children see how tall they can build their 'house' with wooden blocks before it topples down.

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The provision is good

Staff are kind, caring and provide emotional support for younger children when they need it. For instance, staff cuddle children who are still sleepy after a nap. Children begin to learn about their emotions and how to manage them. Staff regularly talk to children about how they are feeling. Children build positive relationships as they play and are thoughtful and considerate of each other. For example, older children help their friends do the zip up on their coats before going outside.

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need to do better?

n The manager is passionate and driven in her intent to offer the very best early years experience. Staff use children's developing interests and their knowledge of what they need to learn next to provide a curriculum that builds on what children know and can do. The manager and staff ensure that all children receive the help and support they need. They work together with parents and other professionals and use this information when setting targets for learning. This helps all children make good progress from their starting points. n Children's early literacy skills are progressing very well. There is a key focus on developing these skills in preparation for the next stage of learning and the transition to school. Adults read with expression, and toddlers squeal in excitement as they listen intently. Children dress up to help re-enact the story of 'The Three Little Pigs.' They are later heard using phrases from the story in

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need to do better?

independent imaginative play. n Staff use a variety of opportunities to develop children's communication and language skills. They provide a narrative for children as they play, introduce words like 'funnel' and 'cog' to broaden their vocabulary and reinforce instructions with Makaton signs. For children who speak English as an additional language, staff find out words in their home language and use these in their interactions with them. This helps all children to make good progress in this area. n Staff challenge children as they learn and encourage them to think for

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need to do better?

19 January 2023 themselves. For instance, adults ask younger children how they might stop their construction from wobbling, and older children test out varied surfaces, to work out which one is easiest to attach an item to through suction. This helps develop children's critical-thinking skills. n Overall, children behave well. They use good manners and remember to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Adults use a sand timer so that children know how much time they have to play before they need to tidy up. This helps children respond positively to transitions between routines. However, occasionally, when children display unwanted behaviour, staff are not always consistent in their responses, and other children repeat the same behaviour. n Overall, children's self-help skills develop well. Children feed themselves cereal, clean tables after snack time and put their coats on. However, there are occasions when adults do things for children rather than giving them the

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need to do better?

opportunity to try for themselves. For example, staff wash toddler's hands for them before lunch. n Staff work very hard to meet the needs of children and parents. Parents say that they receive 'amazing support' and that home visits with their children's key worker and the nursery's family support manager helps children transition into the nursery smoothly. Staff share information daily about children's care and learning. This helps to support the continuity of care and learning between home and the setting. n There is a strong focus on continually developing staff skills and knowledge. Staff make good use of knowledge they acquire from training. For instance, staff use strategies from an emotional literacy course to help children begin to understand their own emotions. n The nominated individual failed to notify Ofsted of a change in the manager of the setting. While this is a statutory requirement, this did not have an impact on

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need to do better?

the children or the running of the setting. The nominated individual has improved her knowledge of required notifications to ensure this does not happen again.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The nursery maintains a robust recruitment procedure to ensure that all staff are suitable to care for children and check their ongoing suitability. Staff receive an intensive induction process when they start. They regularly update their training and are knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities relating to child protection. Staff have a good understanding of signs and symptoms that would cause them concern. Policies and procedures are in place, and staff have a clear understanding of the whistle-blowing procedure and how to report concerns about children.

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should:

n provide a more consistent approach to behaviour management to better support children's understanding of appropriate behaviour n strengthen opportunities for children to develop their self-help skills further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2601916 Local authority Wandsworth Inspection number 10251585 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 45 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person Ark UK Programmes

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reference number

Telephone number 07967477971 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Ark Start, John Archer registered in 2020. The setting is located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It operates on weekdays, from 8am to 5pm, for most of the year. The manager holds a level 6 qualification in childcare.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The inspector conducted a learning walk with the manager to discuss how the curriculum is planned and what opportunities are available for children. n A joint observation was carried out with the manager, and the impact of this on children's learning and development was evaluated. n Children, staff and some parents spoke with the inspector and shared their views. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this had on children's learning. n The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including staff's first-aid certificates and evidence of staff suitability.

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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

19 January 2023 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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