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Our History
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Noah’s Ark Pre-School is based in North East Ipswich and has been operating since 1985. It was originally set up by Captain Philip Garbett, from the Church Army, and various parents. The church ran a competition to name the group which was won by Sunday school teacher Olive Barnard, who suggested Noah’s Ark.
At first it was open all day but, at the time, this was not successful so the hours were reduced to mornings only. There were five staff including a Supervisor (Hazel Green) and a deputy. The playgroup was run in the Memorial Hall behind the church hall which had itself been St John’sChurch before 1890. There were two rooms; a large room for 24 children and a small room for 12 children. There was no government funding so fees were paid every half term- these were collected by committee members at the door.
There was a small outside yard area with no grass or safety surface. The toilets were adult sized and outside in the lobby, so every time a child needed the toilet the doors had to be unlocked and a member of staff had to go with them. If the weather was bad then the old church was used for exercise using bikes and footballs and if it was extremely cold then staff and children would have to wear their coats inside to keep warm.
There was a set timetable of registration, free play including craft, rhymes, snack (which was always biscuit, milk and water), outdoor play, story, then home time. A Rising 5s group was set up for 16 children and was run by two members of staff, on a Tuesday afternoon during the Summer Term only.
Staff development and training was a high priority with the supervisor becoming an Early Years Professional. Staff, parents and the elected committee worked to acquire new resources for inside and outside by traditional and more unusual styles of fundraising such as abseiling down the maternity block.
Change was taking place, with, settings such as Noah’s Ark being required to be registered with the Department of Education and Skills (as it was then) and to follow the statutory framework of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). There was government funding for the older children and increased curriculum guidance from the EYFS, which led to Ofsted visits and increased contact with outside agencies
The arrival of a new supervisor saw more adjustments. The outside area was accessed most of the morning and was manned by two members of staff, with other resources, not just wheeled toys, being used to promote learning. ‘Rolling snack’ was introduced, which meant children could choose when to eat and healthy options were provided - including different types of fruit. Self-registration was also in place, which meant children coming into session would find their names and put it on the ‘look who’s here today’ board.
The decision was taken to have free flow between the 2 rooms and the outside area with children of all ages being mixed. The intention was this would involve higher staff ratios, better resources for the different areas, richer learning environments and a more natural environment with older children supporting the younger ones.The use of children’s learning journeys brought new challenges to the staff at Noah’s Ark that were taken on board and produced better outcomes for children and families.
Staff development and training was a high priority with the supervisor becoming an Early Years Professional. Staff, parents and the elected committee worked to acquire new resources for inside and outside by traditional and more unusual styles of fundraising such as abseiling down the maternity block.
During the summer of 2013 a new Manager, Sophie Woodward (Qualified Teacher) joined to lead the team with Roxanne Knights the new Deputy Manager (NVQ Level 4). Initially the new management set to work with the committee and staff team to clean, paint and arrange a new layout to Noah’s Ark. Staff developed and enhanced the compulsory areas of learning ready for the children’s first term. New management has provided a focus on the revision and updating of routines and planning.It has also created stronger procedures for inductions, parental feedback,staff meetings and staff supervisions.
The autumn term brought with it an increased number of 2 year olds into the setting and a greater need to differentiate resources, routines and learning for the different age groups. During each session there is currently wide access to the continuous provision with free flow taking place both inside and outside, rolling snack, an adult focus activity (linked to the children’s interests or targeted next steps), two age-differentiated circle times and an end of session story/song. Safer entry and departure of children has also meant changes within the routine and the way the rooms are used.
Each day learning areas and the outdoor area are set up creatively by following the children’s next steps/interests which is recorded on the short term weekly plans. Only festivals, the Role play areas and the interest table are planned on a adult led medium term basis all other areas are planned for on a weekly basis but child led with lots of fun and enthusiasm!
At first it was open all day but, at the time, this was not successful so the hours were reduced to mornings only. There were five staff including a Supervisor (Hazel Green) and a deputy. The playgroup was run in the Memorial Hall behind the church hall which had itself been St John’sChurch before 1890. There were two rooms; a large room for 24 children and a small room for 12 children. There was no government funding so fees were paid every half term- these were collected by committee members at the door.
There was a small outside yard area with no grass or safety surface. The toilets were adult sized and outside in the lobby, so every time a child needed the toilet the doors had to be unlocked and a member of staff had to go with them. If the weather was bad then the old church was used for exercise using bikes and footballs and if it was extremely cold then staff and children would have to wear their coats inside to keep warm.
There was a set timetable of registration, free play including craft, rhymes, snack (which was always biscuit, milk and water), outdoor play, story, then home time. A Rising 5s group was set up for 16 children and was run by two members of staff, on a Tuesday afternoon during the Summer Term only.
Staff development and training was a high priority with the supervisor becoming an Early Years Professional. Staff, parents and the elected committee worked to acquire new resources for inside and outside by traditional and more unusual styles of fundraising such as abseiling down the maternity block.
Change was taking place, with, settings such as Noah’s Ark being required to be registered with the Department of Education and Skills (as it was then) and to follow the statutory framework of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). There was government funding for the older children and increased curriculum guidance from the EYFS, which led to Ofsted visits and increased contact with outside agencies
The arrival of a new supervisor saw more adjustments. The outside area was accessed most of the morning and was manned by two members of staff, with other resources, not just wheeled toys, being used to promote learning. ‘Rolling snack’ was introduced, which meant children could choose when to eat and healthy options were provided - including different types of fruit. Self-registration was also in place, which meant children coming into session would find their names and put it on the ‘look who’s here today’ board.
The decision was taken to have free flow between the 2 rooms and the outside area with children of all ages being mixed. The intention was this would involve higher staff ratios, better resources for the different areas, richer learning environments and a more natural environment with older children supporting the younger ones.The use of children’s learning journeys brought new challenges to the staff at Noah’s Ark that were taken on board and produced better outcomes for children and families.
Staff development and training was a high priority with the supervisor becoming an Early Years Professional. Staff, parents and the elected committee worked to acquire new resources for inside and outside by traditional and more unusual styles of fundraising such as abseiling down the maternity block.
During the summer of 2013 a new Manager, Sophie Woodward (Qualified Teacher) joined to lead the team with Roxanne Knights the new Deputy Manager (NVQ Level 4). Initially the new management set to work with the committee and staff team to clean, paint and arrange a new layout to Noah’s Ark. Staff developed and enhanced the compulsory areas of learning ready for the children’s first term. New management has provided a focus on the revision and updating of routines and planning.It has also created stronger procedures for inductions, parental feedback,staff meetings and staff supervisions.
The autumn term brought with it an increased number of 2 year olds into the setting and a greater need to differentiate resources, routines and learning for the different age groups. During each session there is currently wide access to the continuous provision with free flow taking place both inside and outside, rolling snack, an adult focus activity (linked to the children’s interests or targeted next steps), two age-differentiated circle times and an end of session story/song. Safer entry and departure of children has also meant changes within the routine and the way the rooms are used.
Each day learning areas and the outdoor area are set up creatively by following the children’s next steps/interests which is recorded on the short term weekly plans. Only festivals, the Role play areas and the interest table are planned on a adult led medium term basis all other areas are planned for on a weekly basis but child led with lots of fun and enthusiasm!
