The Ark Woodlands Nursery

Inspection of Woodlands Day Nursery & Family Centre 119 Moorside Road, Swinton, Salford M27 0LB

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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, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), thrive at this nursery. They succeed in their learning because leaders have established a carefully thought out curriculum, taught by knowledgeable staff. Children feel happy, safe and included because staff notice, nourish and support their individual needs and interests.

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The provision is good

When first starting to attend the nursery, babies and children feel at ease quickly and learn that they belong. This is because leaders do as much as they can to smooth children's anxieties about being somewhere new. Children settle quickly on arrival, greeted by staff with smiles and a gentle welcome. They love playing happily with their many friends.

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The provision is good

Children are often to be heard singing at the nursery. They do so because leaders and staff make learning and practising songs an important and enjoyable feature of each child's day. Children learn a huge array of songs and rhymes. They enjoy having fun with interesting words and actions, such as when they sing the action rhyme 'hop little bunnies'. Children learn to be kind and sensible, guided by leaders and staff, who support them and expect them to behave. Staff gently remind children how to wait their turn when they share toys with others.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have identified the important knowledge that they want children to learn and remember. Staff organise well-thought-out learning activities that enable children to develop the knowledge they need to make progress. This means, for example, that children become keen talkers, great number lovers and able climbers. n Staff make sure that children spend time each day engaging in energetic play outdoors. They help children to practise and refine their physical abilities. For example, staff support children to use climbing, sliding and balancing equipment. Children learn how to use their arms and legs to stabilise themselves. n Staff read aloud often with children. They choose from leaders' wide variety of high-quality fiction and non-fiction books. Staff encourage even the youngest children to think and predict during story time. For example, when turning the pages, staff ask babies what they think is coming next. Children develop a deep

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need to do better?

love of books and reading behaviours. n Leaders and staff place high value on back-and-forth conversation with children. Staff thoughtfully and purposefully teach children meaningful words in context, such as 'oblong' and 'square', when they sit at shaped tables for lunch. Nevertheless, at times, some staff do not use language clearly enough. This

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need to do better?

2 August 2023 does not help children to hear and understand separate words when developing their vocabulary. n Staff review regularly that children are following the intended curriculum. They use their professional knowledge and their regular observations of children's development to help them to decide what children need to learn next. Staff keep a close eye on the needs and development of children with SEND. They link effectively with other agencies and parents when children need extra support. Children's learning needs are met. n Staff support children well to be independent. For example, they gently encourage younger children to take their first steps at toileting. Children confidently tidy away their lunch dishes, learning where each item should be stored. However, on occasion, some staff are too eager to help move routines along. They take over simple tasks that children could do for themselves. At

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need to do better?

these times, children do not develop their independence well. n Leaders check regularly on the quality of staff's work with children. They provide helpful guidance and support to staff to help them understand what they need to do better. Leaders support staff very well. Staff comment that they enjoy working at the nursery. n Parents are pleased with their choice to bring their children to this nursery. They comment that their children have made lots of progress in, for example, their confidence and social skills. Parents say that communication from staff is a strength of the nursery. They feel supported to continue their children's learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders make sure that staff understand their duty to report and record any concerns they may have about a child's welfare. Staff know the possible signs that a child may be experiencing neglect or abuse. They ensure that safeguarding messages are communicated with leaders and to other agencies without delay. Leaders ensure that they and staff attend regular training on safeguarding. This helps them to keep their knowledge about potential safeguarding issues up to date. Staff help children to act safely, such as when they gently remind children to keep seated when eating.

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should:

n help staff to model words clearly and correctly for children, to support their growing vocabulary n strengthen staff's knowledge of how to help children to develop independence, particularly for those soon moving to primary school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2681795 Local authority Salford Inspection number 10303253 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 48 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person Woodlands Day Nursery And Preschool Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01612433243 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Woodlands Day Nursey and Family Centre registered in 2022 and is located in Salford. The setting employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications. The setting is open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. The setting 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 provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the deputy manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The deputy manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all the areas of the nursery and discussed the manager's curriculum for the children. n The inspector spoke with staff during the inspection about the curriculum, safeguarding and staff training. n Some parents spoke with the inspector about their experience of the nursery. n The inspector observed children's learning of the curriculum, indoors and outdoors, and evaluated the impact this has on children's knowledge. n The deputy manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during small-group time. n The inspector looked at a range of the manager's documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working at 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

2 August 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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