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

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

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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

Children enjoy the company of the caring staff and other children as they play at this nursery. Children scream with excitement as the room fills with bubbles, and they excitedly pop them with their friends. They invite staff to join them in their imaginative play. Children act out making 'tea' in the home corner and share it with their friends and staff and say 'it is hot'. Children have established secure and trusting relationships with staff.

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The provision is good

Children are curious and engage in a wide range of experiences as they busily explore, indoors and outdoors. Leaders are aware of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children's development, and they focus on improving children's communication and language skills. Staff join in with children's play and model language well. Children enjoy interactions with their key person as they change their nappy. Older children confidently talk in larger groups and to visitors. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress in their learning.

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The provision is good

Children are regularly consulted by the nurturing staff. Children vote for their favourite story at group time. Children explain to visitors that they need to be caring and kind to each other. They remind each other how to handle the chicks carefully and show great care as they gently pass them to each other. Children understand and respond well to the high expectations that staff have for them.

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need to do better?

n The knowledgeable staff team supports children effectively. Staff are clear about what they want children to learn, and any gaps in children's learning are identified quickly. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) has developed excellent links with other professionals. This enables staff to seek guidance to help all children make good progress. n The dedicated leaders gather a range of feedback to evaluate the provision. They have a clear overview of the nursery's strengths and areas for development. Staff are committed to implementing the nursery's curriculum. However, transitions throughout the day do not run as smoothly as they could. For example, at mealtimes, staff deployment is not effective in consistently promoting learning opportunities for children. Furthermore, noise levels at this time impact on the interactions that children have while enjoying their lunch. n Partnership working is a strength of this nursery. Parents are fully informed

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need to do better?

about what their children are learning and how to support them at home. Parents share updates with their child's key person about children's achievements, such as progress with swimming lessons. Parents value the friendships that their children have made and the loving relationships they have

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need to do better?

21 March 2023 formed with the 'friendly' staff. Parents state that their children are ready for the next stage of their education, including school. n Staff encourage all children to be independent. Children are encouraged to wipe their own noses and wash their hands. Older children make good attempts to change into other clothes before taking part in a running game. When children see sand on the floor outside, they brush it up without being prompted. Children's independence skills are developing well. n Children demonstrate a love of books and stories. This is supported by enthusiastic staff who use different voices to promote their engagement. They introduce 'book of the week' and encourage children to retell stories. Stories are supported with props to extend children's understanding. Babies enjoy snuggling up to staff to enjoy books. All children have access to a book swap, where they can take books home and donate unwanted books. This allows them to extend

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need to do better?

their love of reading at home with their families. n Children benefit from many opportunities to develop their physical skills. They state, 'I can do this', as they confidently balance on the climbing bridge and hold out their hand as they get up high. Reassuring staff encourage them to have a go. They get out of breath as they take part in races and laugh as they 'slither like snakes'. Children are confident in their physical abilities. n Mathematics is skilfully introduced through activities for all age groups. Babies clap along to number songs as staff sing. As staff read the 'Three Billy Goats Gruff', children confidently use language such as 'big', 'bigger' and 'small' to describe the characters. Children count to 10 as they complete star jumps. Children have developed a positive attitude and interest in early mathematical concepts.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff have a good knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. Staff complete risk assessment effectively to identify any potential risks, including when they go on outings. Leaders have systems in place to ensure that children's allergies and dietary requirements are catered for and their safety and well-being are supported. Robust recruitment arrangements are in place to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Leaders carry out detailed reviews of accidents and take prompt action to prevent recurrence.

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should:

n consider the organisation of daily routines so that all staff are deployed effectively to further promote children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY549006 Local authority Rochdale Inspection number 10282473 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 125 Number of children on roll 328 Name of registered person The Ark Littleborough Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01706 390000 Date of previous inspection 8 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The Ark Nursery Littleborough And Space Out-Of-School Club registered in 2017 and is situated in Littleborough, Rochdale. The nursery employs 39 members of childcare staff. Of these, 26 hold early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including three who hold early years teacher status. 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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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 the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The learning and development manager, nursery manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the nursery. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection, and the inspector took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the leadership team about the leadership and management of the nursery. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group

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Inspection activities

activity. n Parents and carers shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n Leaders provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation, including evidence of first-aid training and 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

21 March 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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