The Exwick Ark

Inspection of The Exwick Ark The Old School, Exwick Road, EXETER EX4 2AT

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children enjoy attending this welcoming nursery. They are greeted warmly by friendly and approachable staff. Children happily wave goodbye to their parents and carers and hang up their belongings. Staff take their hand and lead them to their designated room, where children settle quickly into an activity of their choosing.

p.2

The provision is good

The provider and staff have made significant improvements since the last inspection. They tailor their curriculum specifically to meet children's individual needs, with a particular focus on communication and language. Babies relish in listening to familiar nursery rhymes. Younger babies rock their body in time with the tune and sustain staff's eye contact as they sing. Older babies show excitement in participating, using puppets to act out parts of the song. They all sustain attention for long periods and begin to learn new single words. Staff help toddlers to join words together. For example, staff encourage sign language and provide context to children's play, such as supporting children to ask for help through words and actions when they need it. Pre-school-aged children extend their sentences well, such as during story times. They listen attentively and confidently describe the characters in the book.

p.2

The provision is good

All children have a positive attitude to learning and build warm relationships with staff and peers. They enjoy being part of the 'nursery family'.

p.2

need to do better?

n Toddlers enjoy small-group times with staff. They confidently use musical instruments and join in with number songs. Children jump up and down in excitement pretending to be 'monkeys jumping on the bed'. They know how to count backwards from five to zero. Staff use their fingers to represent numerals to help further develop children's mathematical skills. n Partnerships with parents are effective. Parents speak highly of the care and education their children receive. They comment on the progression of children's communication and social skills. Parents compliment the staff on liaising effectively with other professionals to help close gaps in children's development. n Staff provide high-quality interactions with children throughout the day. They provide a narrative to children's play and adapt their conversations according to the needs of each child. Occasionally, some staff speak too quickly and, at times,

p.2

need to do better?

do not enable children to answer their questions to aid their thinking skills and promote their confidence further. Some children look despondent when staff answer for them. n Children benefit from the ample outside space as well as the nearby forest school. They spend long periods in the fresh air and with nature. Staff rake up

p.2

need to do better?

31 October 2024 leaves, and at the children's request, scoop the leaves up and let them go above the children's heads. The children squeal with delight as the leaves fall on their heads and into their open arms. Older children learn how to cut wood using real tools to support their hand-eye coordination. Others talk about how exercise is important for the body and demonstrate some of the movements they complete during 'get up & go' sessions. Children know they must drink lots of water to stay hydrated and talk about the meditation sessions that make them feel calm. n Staff introduce children to group games to help develop their listening and attention skills. For instance, staff encourage toddlers to play 'What's in the bag?' Toddlers take out an animal and children say the animal's name and the sound it makes. For pre-school-aged children, staff hide autumn items under a blanket and encourage children to guess which item is missing. Children work

p.2

need to do better?

together as a team, developing their social skills to identify the missing item. They take turns in hiding items for their friends to guess. n The provider ensures staff well-being and observes them during interactions with children to monitor the quality of teaching. Staff feel well supported in their work and morale is high. They comment on how the provider makes positive suggestions for their practice to benefit children. For example, staff adapt their activities more precisely to meet the ages and stages of children to ensure they succeed.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n provide children with sufficient time to think about the answers to staff questions to aid their thinking skills and promote their confidence.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY466130 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10336869 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 96 Name of registered person The Exwick Ark Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01392 425551 Date of previous inspection 21 February 2024

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Exwick Ark registered in 2013. It is open Monday to Friday, from 7.45am to 5.45pm, all year round. The nursery offers government funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged children. There are currently 19 members of staff. Of these, three hold qualified teacher status, two hold early years professional status, 11 hold a level 3 childcare qualification and one holds a level 2 qualification. Two members of staff are training toward a childcare qualification.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The provider and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The provider spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at the nursery. n The inspector spoke with the provider about the leadership and management of the nursery. 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 and provider carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

31 October 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6