Noah's Ark Nursery

Inspection of Noah's Ark Nursery Noah's Ark Children's Centre Nursery York Road, York Road, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 5HU

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children, including those new to the setting, arrive with enthusiasm. They are settled and happy. They thrive at the nursery, are motivated to learn and make very good progress from their individual starting points. All children have excellent relationships with the staff, who show genuine warmth and kindness to them. Staff are excellent role models and support children to develop confident social skills and independence. Staff help children express their feelings and calmly support children who find it challenging to regulate their behaviour. Staff foster children's self- esteem, giving high praise for their achievements. They use sand timers and gentle reminders effectively to encourage children to learn to share and take turns.

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The provision is good

Staff instinctively challenge children to develop their language and thinking. They model the use of language and skilfully introduce new words. They ask pertinent questions to promote conversations. They provide sensitive support to help children who find verbal communication more difficult. They make excellent use of sign language and visual aids, along with ideas they gain from speech and language professionals, to support children's language development.

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The provision is good

Full of smiles, children move freely between the carefully planned indoor and outdoor learning environments. Children relish outdoor play. They develop their physical skills and understanding of the world. Staff draw their attention to environmental sounds and encourage children to experiment and solve problems as they engage in sand play and construct with large wooden blocks.

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need to do better?

n The staff are all highly enthusiastic in their roles. They work with a passion to ensure that every child achieves and enjoys their learning experiences. The provision for children's personal development is highly effective. A nurturing culture is established. Staff instinctively know when to be actively involved in children's play to extend their learning and when to stand back and let them play freely. n Staff get to know as much as they can about each child by working closely with parents and families. They have an in-depth understanding of children's needs, interests and abilities and a very good overview of where every child is in their learning. The curriculum provides rich learning experiences and takes into account what children need to learn next. Staff instinctively offer the encouragement and support the children need to foster their all-round learning. They seek outside professional support without delay to ensure that children

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need to do better?

receive the extra help they need to aid their learning. Staff skilfully nurture children to become confident in trying new things and persevere at tasks. For example, children receive excellent support and encouragement as they learn to

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need to do better?

9 September 2025 climb the cargo net to reach the top of the new climbing structure. Children smile with pride and cheer as they overcome their fear of climbing. n Children learn some simple mathematical concepts. For example, staff use positional language clues such as 'under' and 'over' to help children find objects. Staff talk about shapes as children complete puzzles and connect clip-together bricks. Children are encouraged to say how many items are in their 'shop' and say '1', '2'. Staff introduce counting but do not actively challenge the most able to develop their mathematical awareness. n Staff embed routines with children very quickly. They encourage children to make their own play choices and develop their independence skills. Children learn to sit to eat, serve themselves and clear away their cups, plates and food waste. They routinely clean their teeth after meals and are taught good hygiene

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need to do better?

practices. n Teamwork is very evident. Staff feel well supported by the management team, which regularly holds well-being meetings and ensures that staff's voice is listened to. Staff share information about children's learning and practice ideas. The management team implements effective recruitment procedures and monitors the effectiveness of practice competently to identify ways for continuously improving the provision. Due to an oversight, the management team failed to notify Ofsted of changes to company directors within 14 days as required. When alerted to the oversight, swift action was taken to rectify the situation, and there was no negative impact on the children. n Parents describe the staff as 'fantastic, friendly, trusted and highly supportive'. They state that the provision exceeds their expectations and that their children thoroughly enjoy attending. They feel well informed about their children's

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need to do better?

learning and appreciate opportunities to join their children in the setting at 'stay and play' sessions. Staff work closely with the centre's family support team to ensure that families get the best possible help as needed.

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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 create more opportunities to enhance children's mathematical awareness.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY547475 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10399734 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 24 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Aspire Foundation

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reference number

Telephone number 07851043844 Date of previous inspection 12 December 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Noah's Ark Nursery opened in 2013 and registered under new ownership in 2017. It is one of five settings owned by the same provider and operates from a room in the children's centre in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 3.30pm, with various session time options. It operates during term time only. The nursery provides government-funded childcare places for children aged two, three and four years. A team of six staff regularly work with the children. Of these, one holds a level 6 qualification, one has early years teacher status and two hold a level 3 qualification. Two staff are working towards a level 3 qualification, and, of these, one already holds a level 2 qualification.

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Inspection activities

n The early years lead and strategic lead joined the inspector on a learning walk of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children. She observed the quality of education being provided for all children, both indoors and outdoors. n The inspector and early years lead observed a short one-to-one activity together and discussed how they evaluate the effectiveness of practice. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with members of the leadership team about the management of the provision. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n Parents shared their views of the provision.

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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

9 September 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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