The Ark Pre-School Nursery Liphook

Inspection of The Ark Pre-School Nursery Liphook The Church Centre, Portsmouth Road, Liphook GU30 7DJ

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children arrive at the setting happy and excited to see their friends. Staff have worked hard to plan activities that build on children's interests and engage them in learning. For example, children enjoy using toy insects with the play dough to explore texture and strengthen the muscles in their wrists.

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The provision is good

Staff take time to build strong attachments with the children who attend. Home visits and settling-in sessions help staff to build effective relationships with children and parents. This helps them to provide high-quality care that is consistent and meets their needs.

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The provision is good

The curriculum is inclusive for every child, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff know every child really well and use this knowledge to support them in their learning. For example, staff teach children how to wash their hands thoroughly by singing a handwashing song and modelling how to use the soap and water. This supports children's understanding of how to wash away germs and keep themselves safe.

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The provision is good

Children know the behaviour expectations of the setting, and staff praise children when they share a book with a friend or show kindness to someone. Staff use prompts, such as sign language or visual picture cards, to help children with SEND understand when it is time to share a bike or wait their turn. This inclusive approach means that every child feels important and valued.

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need to do better?

n Children are provided with excellent opportunities to develop their physical skills using a range of equipment. Children enjoy using bikes, slides and a large tractor tyre outside to practise balancing, jumping, sliding and running. Staff join in with children's games to enhance their learning. For example, children ask to draw round staff using chalk on the playground. This provides opportunities for children to learn about shape and size. n Children are able to choose from a broad range of activities and enjoy moving freely from one experience to another. However, there are times when some children lose interest and staff do not identify how to refocus them and extend their concentration. This means that, at times, some children are not engaged in meaningful learning. n Children know it is tidy-up time when they hear the tambourine and respond quickly and positively. Staff praise children when they help to pack the toys away

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need to do better?

ready for snack time and gently encourage them when they need support. Staff are excellent role models, and children enjoy helping them tidy up the shapes and put them away in the basket.

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need to do better?

6 June 2025 n Interactions between staff and children are relaxed and natural. Children share stories about home and things that excite them, such as dinosaurs or their favourite food. Conversations are mostly of a high quality. However, there are times when staff do not recognise when to increase children's vocabulary or extend language further. This means that children are not consistently being encouraged to broaden their language skills fully. n Children thoroughly enjoy choosing a book and sitting on an adult's lap for a cuddle and a story. Staff comment on the pictures and encourage the children to turn the pages. This provides a valuable opportunity for children to learn how to handle books and encourages a love of stories. n Children are taught how to keep themselves safe and learn how to risk assess the equipment outside with support. For example, if children notice a wet slide, staff will ask them how they can make it safe to use. This helps to problem solve

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need to do better?

and teaches children a sense of responsibility. n Parents value the support they receive from staff. They describe how their children enjoy attending the setting and how their progress has come on in leaps and bounds since joining. Parents enjoy attending the family singing sessions and feel very much involved in their child's learning. This helps to build and maintain positive partnerships with parents. n Leaders work closely with staff to make sure they feel supported and part of the team. They have a very good overview of the setting's strengths, regularly reflecting as a team to make sure they are providing a high-quality service that meets the needs of every child. Leaders ensure staff have time to attend training and are dedicated to making sure staff feel valued and confident in their role.

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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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should:

n support staff to know when to adapt their teaching so that children remain focused and engaged in meaningful learning. n enhance staff's knowledge of how to extend children's vocabulary during conversation even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY550836 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10398690 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person The Ark Pre-School Nursery Liphook

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reference number

Telephone number 07775394230 Date of previous inspection 5 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The Ark Pre-School Nursery Liphook registered in 2017. It is located in Liphook, Hampshire. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It opens Monday to Friday, during term time, from 8.15am to 3.30pm. There are seven staff employed, five of whom hold appropriate qualifications, including two who hold qualified teacher status.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and deputy 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 Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at the pre- school. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of group activities with the manager. 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 pre-school. n The manager showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure that they are safe and suitable.

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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

6 June 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.

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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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