ARK Ayrton Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children at this nursery are delightful. They are safe and settled with strong key-person bonds. They flourish due to the excellent quality of teaching and nurturing that they receive.

Children arrive with smiles on their faces and enjoy being in each other's company. They enjoy talking about the things they learn. For example, the children say that they love being at the nursery and their favourite part is reading books.

Children develop skills of curiosity, exploration and language through activities such as making play dough, water play and having access to a wide range of books. Leaders have high expectation...s for the children. Every minute of the day includes opportunities to help children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to develop, think and try new things.

Activities are purposefully planned to reflect the needs and interest of the children well.Children behave extremely well. Staff are wonderful role models for them.

They show children how to be kind and to respect each other. Poor behaviour is rare as children know to share and take turns. Children are constantly praised and their achievements celebrated.

Parents are extremely happy with the nursery. They receive regular updates and information about their children's learning. Parents value the support they receive from the staff.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders ensure that the environment, inside and outside, is exciting and interesting. Children relish the many opportunities on offer. Activities are progressively adapted to meet the learning needs of the children.

For example, the younger children learn to identify names of fruits, while the older children learn about the importance of healthy eating and oral health. Staff motivate and inspire children to explore, play and learn. Outdoors, there are lots of opportunities to develop children's physical skills, such as climbing and balancing.

Leaders meticulously use staff supervisions to develop practice through targeted training. Regular checks are carried out on the quality of teaching and learning. Workforce development has been an essential element of the nursery's continuing success.

Staff have opportunities to further develop their knowledge. They recently attended neurological development training to better understand the behaviours of children. Staff appreciate the safe space that leaders provide for them to discuss their well-being and workload.

Staff develop knowledge and skills through effective working partnerships with a range of external agencies.The quality of education, teaching and learning is outstanding. Children demonstrate high levels of enjoyment and engagement in the interesting opportunities created for them.

Staff's knowledge of the importance of early years and child development means that they know how to promote children's learning very effectively. For example, staff place great emphasis on early reading. They position books in the room for children to notice and explore.

Children have daily access to a lending library with a wide range of books that spark curiosity. As a result, children handle books with confidence and express their love for reading.Staff help children to have a good understanding of the wider world.

For instance, they use the children's cultures and holiday experiences to help children learn about different people and customs from around the world. Children look at pictures of others and proudly discuss what makes them unique. Consequently, children develop a broad understanding and appreciation of diversity.

Children learn a wide range of skills that help them to be confident and well prepared for the next stage in their learning and development. They are eager to learn and look forward to playing with each other. Children have consistently high levels of respect for others.

For example, children learn strategies to help manage their feelings. They access a dedicated quiet area and show an incredibly positive attitude to learning and play.Staff support children to develop their speaking and listening skills effectively.

They model spoken English accurately. They also encourage children to use new words when they are speaking. Children are keen to share their thoughts with each other.

For example, children confidently use a range of vocabulary when talking about the nutrients in foods they enjoy eating. Children make excellent progress in their communication skills.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Managers and staff are highly committed to keeping children safe from harm. They attend regular training to deepen their knowledge. Staff are aware of their duty to protect children.

They know the types of abuse and the symptoms to look out for, including awareness of the 'Prevent' duty. Staff are knowledgeable about the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare. They prioritise children's safety well.

Staff risk assess the environment to identify and address hazards. They understand the whistle-blowing procedure to follow should they have concerns about a colleague or managers. Robust recruitment systems are in place to ensure staff who work with children are vetted.

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