Noah's Ark Preschool

Inspection of Noah's Ark Preschool Gracious Street Methodist Church, Chapel Street, KNARESBOROUGH, North Yorkshire HG5 8AN

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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

Children make exceptional progress in this outstanding pre-school. The committed manager has developed a broad and stimulating programme of learning which ignites the imaginations of the children who attend. Well qualified and experienced staff deliver these programs of learning with integrity. Children consistently demonstrate a motivation to find out more as they explore the well-designed learning environment. Interactions between staff and children are of the highest quality. Staff demonstrate their ambitions for the children by consistently providing children with appropriate challenge. They encourage children to try things by themselves and develop their own ideas. This can-do attitude helps children move to school and/or other settings with confidence. Staff act as exceptional role models and respect the children's voices and ideas. Children reflect this attitude in their play. For example, they listen to one another, share, show kindness and are

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The provision is outstanding

Management and the committee are passionate about inclusion. Additional funding is used to ensure all children including children who have experienced disadvantage and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities make excellent progress. This means that no child is left behind. All staff know the children extremely well and the children have built equally strong relationships with the adults who care for them. They confidently welcome visitors to their pre-school where their well-being is of the highest priority.

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need to do better?

n Staff skilfully encourage children to solve their own problems. For example, children set up a ball run. Staff ask inquisitive questions that support children to think and consider their options. Children make adjustments to their construction to make their balls land in their basket effectively. Children are learning to adapt their designs, try things in different ways and they are not afraid of making mistakes. These attitudes help children to become effective, resilient learners. n Mathematical learning is weaved throughout all routines and activities the pre- school provides. Staff consistently role model using mathematical language and vocabulary. They ask children many questions throughout their day to encourage and support their mathematical thinking and understanding. Children confidently use this language in their own interactions with one another. They consistently try to work things out for themselves and use the mathematical vocabulary they

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need to do better?

have learned to describe what they are doing. Children are making excellent progress in their mathematical understanding. n Pre-school staff implement an excellent literacy program of learning. Carefully selected books are available to the children across the learning environment. Children use information books to find out more. They listen intently to stories

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need to do better?

21 May 2024 and demonstrate their understanding of these stories through their own role- play games. For example, children listen to a story about a princess. They create a castle and use materials to create outfits of the character. Other children eagerly turn the pages of books linked to their personal interests. Children are developing a real love of reading and literacy. n Staff expertly support children's language development. They commentate, explain and breakdown sentences for children to ensure all children understand what is being said or asked of them. Staff introduce new vocabulary and repeat it in a variety of contexts. Children repeat these new words independently as they describe things in their play. Staff listen intently to the children. They allow children enough time to process their thoughts and develop their responses to questions. Children are developing excellent communication skills.

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need to do better?

n Staff absolutely love working at the pre-school. They report how well supported they are by leaders. The team benefit from weekly staff meetings. Staff have regular supervision sessions and leaders support staff to further their professional development through training. n Parents speak very highly of the pre-school. They report that the 'experienced' and 'committed' staff work extremely hard and consistently 'go over and above' to meet the needs of the children and their families. They appreciate the wealth of information they receive about their children's learning and development and enjoy being involved in their learning. They comment on how well the staff know the children and that the pre-school feels like an extension of their family. These strong relationships and robust information sharing processes help parents support children's learning and development at home.

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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 EY373689 Local authority North Yorkshire Inspection number 10339171 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Noah's Ark Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01423868575 Date of previous inspection 3 July 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Noah's Ark Preschool registered in 2009. It employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold qualified teacher status, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one at level 2. The pre-school opens Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm, and Friday from 9am to 12.30pm, term time only. It 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 Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at pre-school. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the pre-school. 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 The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn.

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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 May 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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