Showcase Magazine Winter 2023 - Flipbook - Page 13
OFSTED ADVICE
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING
YOUR INSPECTION
Is your setting due an Ofsted visit? We visited Noah9s Ark Preschool in Gosport who recently
received an 8Outstanding’ Ofsted rating.
Noah’s Ark Pre-School
Noah's Ark Preschool is based in Gosport in a newly refurbished hall behind St
John's Church, offering funded places to children aged 2, 3 and 4. With an exciting,
large woodland outdoor area for the children to enjoy, Noah's Ark Preschool
provides lots of opportunities both inside and out for children to develop a
knowledge and respect for each other, the environment, and their wider world.
Through a range of unique outdoor experiences such as a tree house, rope swing,
and a large variety of loose parts such as crates, tyres, and planks, the children
develop independence and resilience as they explore and investigate, following their
own curiosities.
Indoors, following a philosophy based on loose parts play, the children are free to explore and develop their own
interests with an arts area dedicated to process art and sensory play, and a home area which flows naturally to a
living room with book shelf, as well as lots of small communication-friendly spaces. In line with their eco-friendly
approach, and as a registered charity themselves, Noah's Ark, in turn, supports a local charity which sells preloved furniture. They use this to source their furniture which adds to their homely and welcoming environment. At
snack and lunchtimes, the children sit together at large, family-sized wooden tables which nurtures their sense of
community and the development of social skills. Noah's Ark Preschool provides a share shed for parents where
they can access locally donated surplus food, as well as sharing and swapping clothes and books.
Ofsted Inspection
Bridget,
setting9s
has workedNoah's
in EarlyArk
Years
for nearlywas
25 rated
years and
In the
their
latest manager
Ofsted inspection,
Preschool
as
received
the call fromby
Ofsted
the day
before
the praised
inspectionfor
wastheir
due to
take place.
'Outstanding'
Ofsted.
They
were
high-quality
Despite
having
a
few
butterflies,
the
team
were
confident
in
the
setting9s
teaching, their caring and supportive environment, their practice
strong
and therefore did not have to do much adjusting in terms of preparation. They
relationships with parents, and their commitment to creating a
believed in themselves and what they had created.
positive and inclusive experience for all children. The setting9s
The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the
curriculum priorities child-initiated learning and a holistic approach to
impact that was having on children's learning, as well as the interactions between
learning, where each child is valued as an individual on their unique
staff and children. Bridget received the grade on the day of the inspection and was
learning journey.
moved to tears at the result.
The setting was praised for their high-quality teaching, their caring and supportive environment, their strong
relationships with parents, and their commitment to creating a positive and inclusive experience for all children.
The setting9s curriculum prioritises child-initiated learning and a holistic approach to learning, where each child is
valued as an individual on their unique learning journey.
Read the Ofsted Inspection