Noah's Ark Kindergarden

Inspection of Noah's Ark Kindergarden 26 Reginald Street, Chapeltown, Leeds LS7 3HL

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 their time at this warm and welcoming nursery. Leaders prioritise partnerships with parents. Effective settling-in procedures ensure that key workers forge meaningful relationships with parents from the start. Families are also signposted to additional information and support at the local community hub when required. Key workers know their children well. Nurturing interactions between children and staff prioritise children's emotional well-being.

p.2

The provision is good

Learning programmes are well designed. Leaders ensure that learning builds sequentially as children move up the nursery. Staff have high expectations of the children and know their nursery community well. They adapt their curriculum to meet the needs of the children who attend. Communication and language development is a priority. Children engage in meaningful conversations during their day. For example, they discuss and decide where to plant their seeds. Staff role model good English and commentate on what the children are doing. This thoughtful work helps children make good progress in their learning and development.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff act as very good role models and celebrate the diverse cultures within the nursery. Children learn to respect one another's similarities and differences through planned activities, celebrations and daily routines. For example, the nursery cook will prepare food that reflects the cultures of the children who attend. Children are consistently kind and courteous to one another and staff.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff thoroughly enjoy their jobs. They appreciate the meaningful support and regular supervision arrangements that leaders implement. They report how this support has helped them to grow in confidence. Since the last inspection, staff have completed a programme of professional development, which has improved their knowledge and understanding of child development. This has raised the quality of staff interactions with children at the nursery. n Children experience many trips into the local area and are supported well to understand the world in which they live. They regularly visit the local park, library and church. Children have started to develop a food kitchen garden. They plant and water seeds. Eventually, they will harvest their crops and the cook will use these to make food for the children to enjoy. n Leaders prioritise supporting children to develop a good foundation in mathematics. Staff consistently weave mathematics language into their

p.2

need to do better?

interactions with the children. Children develop a strong understanding of shape and measure. They confidently identify shapes such as 'pentagon' and 'hexagon'. They spot these shapes in the nursery environment and use shapes in their play.

p.2

need to do better?

7 March 2025 For example, children make pentagon-shaped ice creams in the nursery playground. n Leaders develop a good curriculum for physical development. Children regularly access fresh air and raise their heart rates. They enjoy playing on a range of equipment that supports their core strength and large-muscle development. Children are supported to develop their fine motor skills. For example, they squeeze spray bottles, put on gloves, sprinkle seeds and carefully turn the pages of books. n Overall, children are developing independence. They find their coats and outdoor shoes and make choices in their play. However, staff sometimes do not support children to develop their skills further. For example, staff pump the children's soap and serve their meals and drinks. This means children are not always learning to be consistently self-sufficient and developing the skills they will need to move on to school confidently.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children participate in a number of routines during their day. At times, these routines do not support children's consistent engagement. For example, children gather at the carpet. However, this routine becomes too long, and children begin to lose their focus. This means that children do not fully benefit from the intended learning and are not consistently engaged during planned activities. n Parents are very happy with the nursery. They report that their children are making 'fantastic' progress and are keen to attend. They comment on how much their children's language development has progressed. They feel supported by the staff and describe them as an extension of their family. They appreciate the ongoing information they receive about their children's learning and development. They particularly appreciate the excursions and trips children enjoy in the local community.

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 improve the organisation of group times to ensure children maintain their engagement and benefit from the intended learning n support staff to consistently support children to develop their independence to help them develop the skills they need to move on to school with confidence.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY341664 Local authority Leeds Inspection number 10360561 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 50 Number of children on roll 9

p.4

Name of registered person

Patricia Bernard and Dennis Bernard Partnership

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 0113 2627000 Date of previous inspection 20 June 2024

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Noah's Ark Kindergarten registered in 2006 and is located in Chapeltown, Leeds. The nursery employs four members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery offers the government funded places for childcare.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during outdoor play. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. 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

7 March 2025 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