Abacus Ark

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents

This provision is good • Staff provide children with a good range of activities linked well to their interests. They carry out regular assessments of children, and make effective use of this information to provide appropriate challenges for children. Children make good progress.

• Staff have effective ways of managing children's behaviour. They offer explanations of why certain behaviour is not appropriate, and share group rules with the children. Staff are calm and fair in their approach.

Children behave well. • Staff have good relationships with parents. They keep them well informed of children's progress, and provide a forum for parents to voice their views.

...• The manager supports staff well. She meets with them on a one-to-one basis to discuss their work and training needs. For instance, staff attended a course on observation and assessment, which led to more-effective practice.

• The manager considers all aspects of the provision, and has clear ideas on how to implement future improvements. • Staff have not developed ways for younger children to access a wider variety of textures and materials to further support their creative development. • Staff have not fully developed children's understanding of the value of healthy routines, such as taking physical exercise and eating well.