The Ark Day Nursery

Inspection of The Ark Day Nursery The Ark, Rowland Road, Scunthorpe DN16 1ST

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Staff have high aspirations for children's development. They guide children through exciting learning experiences that enhance their current skills. Staff also connect learning very well. For example, as older children practise their counting skills, staff consider ways to enhance their physical development and explore colour. Older children show excellent concentration skills as they use tweezers to pick up objects. Children are happy and have consistently positive attitudes to their play and learning.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff adjust their practice appropriately and use various teaching strategies to support children's communication skills and knowledge of how to stay safe. For instance, they encourage the use of signs and words to demonstrate walking indoors to toddlers. Staff also use visual prompts when teaching children the language of feelings. Toddlers use words such as 'shocked' as they label and copy expressions they see. These systems develop children's emotional literacy very well. They also help to support children who speak English as an additional language, contributing to their sense of security and belonging.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff are very aware of the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on children's behaviour and emotional needs. They find that some children struggle to adapt with the transition from home to nursery. In addition, they understand the anxiety placed on parents at this time. Staff spend more time getting to know the needs of parents and children. They go above and beyond to offer emotional support to the whole family.

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need to do better?

n Children's learning is built sequentially. For example, staff introduce babies and toddlers to early mathematics as they count the number of children at morning registration. Older children excitedly search for items in the nursery as they explore how different materials sink and float. They count the right number of objects to match the spots on the large dice. Older children link numerals and amounts accurately. The curriculum is planned to ensure that children practise and embed each step of learning throughout the nursery. Children are very well prepared for their move on to school. n Staff provide a wide-ranging programme to support children's physical development. They place babies on their tummy for short periods of time to help them develop strength in their neck muscles. Toddlers show the physical risks they are confident and able to take. For example, they fit themselves into narrow spaces, like tunnels. Toddlers climb small steps unaided and go down the

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need to do better?

slide independently. Older children move in different ways and play instruments to music they hear.

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need to do better?

12 January 2024 n Staff bring together parents, carers and professionals to discuss and review children's health, well-being and progress. These meetings offer meaningful opportunities for parents to talk about any concerns and contribute to their child's progress. Staff and professionals work collaboratively to share their expertise in the health and development of young children. This means that secure next steps are identified, which benefits children's learning and progress greatly. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, or those on the pathway to diagnosis, are supported extremely well. The management team, staff and special educational needs coordinator build close and professional relationships with other agencies and parents. They provide targeted support to help children become successful learners. Funding is also used exceptionally well to meet children's individual needs.

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need to do better?

n Parent partnerships are a strong feature of this nursery. There are many opportunities for parents to be part of their child's education. For example, staff send home a notebook with 'travelling ted'. Parents record what they and their children get up to at the weekend and add photos. Parents also talk about the long service of staff. They express how this gives them reassurance with the consistency of care and learning to their children. n Staff give children a rich set of opportunities that help to widen their experiences. For example, staff encourage intergenerational relationships through visits to local care homes. They have introduced a growing area outdoors for children who live in premises without a garden. Children develop important life skills, such as travelling by bus and learning to cross the road safely. n Staff are very aware of local needs and challenges in the area. They welcome opportunities for professional development. Staff talk about their learning from a

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need to do better?

course in relation to adverse childhood experiences and the impact of this on children's development. Staff recognise and are passionate about the role they play in giving children the best possible start to their educational journey.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY497563 Local authority North Lincolnshire Inspection number 10301325 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 59 Number of children on roll 75 Name of registered person The Ark Day Nursery LTD

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reference number

Telephone number 01724844288 Date of previous inspection 16 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The Ark Day Nursery registered in 2016. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff, 11 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and two at level 6, while two are unqualified. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. It closes for one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.30pm. 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 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 deputy managers and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed their intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the staff with the inspector.

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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

12 January 2024 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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