The Oval Montessori Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children enjoy their time at the setting.

They settle quickly, and display high levels of confidence and self-esteem. Children engage in a wide range of stimulating and enjoyable experiences, which are based on the Montessori philosophy of teaching. They are inquisitive learners who show good levels of motivation and concentration.

Children successfully master a wide range of challenging activities that give them a sense of pride and achievement. Children's behaviour is good. They know the routines and play well together.

Children's communication and language skills are very well supported, including those chi...ldren who speak English as an additional language. For example, staff introduce new vocabulary and ask open-ended questions that prompt children to think and explore their ideas. Children listen avidly to stories and enthusiastically sing songs for the upcoming Christmas concert.

Staff give a high priority to fostering children's good health and physical development. Children show a very good awareness of space. They confidently move their bodies with ease and display good coordination.

For example, children collaborate with their friends as they carefully manoeuvre their bikes around each other. They pay close attention to 'stop' and 'go' signs to ensure that they navigate their space safely. Overall, children gain a firm foundation for their future learning.

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

The provider, who is also the manager, is passionate, ambitious and continuously strives for improvement. She reviews and evaluates practice carefully. As a result, she has an accurate overview of the setting's strengths and areas for improvement.

Furthermore, the provider has addressed all the actions raised at the last inspection. For example, the systems to monitor the suitability of staff are more robust. Staff's information is also accessible, including reference numbers for their Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

This ensures compliance with requirements.The provider has robust procedures to monitor the performance of staff and the impact it has on children's achievements. In addition, she places a strong focus on the professional development of staff.

This ensures that the quality of education for children across all age groups is consistently good.The curriculum is of a high standard. It provides children with exciting first-hand experiences that promote their good learning.

Staff create a positive and purposeful environment to ensure that children make good progress in their development. The quality of teaching across the setting is good. Staff use information gained from their observations and assessments to accurately identify the next steps in children's learning.

However, on occasion, some adult- led activities are not planned as well as they could be. As a result, some children become easily distracted.Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to the setting's ethos.

Staff create an inclusive atmosphere to ensure that all children are valued. Through their teaching, staff successfully foster qualities such as resilience and respect. For example, during large-group activities, such as circle time, children learn about family structures that are different to their own.

Partnerships with parents are well established. Parents have a high regard for the setting and are fully informed of their child's progress. Since the last inspection, the provider has strengthened links with specialist advisers to ensure that staff use strategies to fully support the learning and development of children with additional needs.

Staff have also attended an autism awareness course. This ensures that the most-vulnerable children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, receive help and support swiftly.Overall, children show good levels of independence.

For example, before going outside, children confidently put on their coats and hats, only needing occasional help with their shoes. They take responsibility for their environment as they thoughtfully tidy up after themselves when activities are complete. However, during mealtimes, children do not always have opportunities to further develop their self-care skills, such as pouring their own drinks.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Since the last inspection, the provider and staff have improved their knowledge of safeguarding. All staff have a secure understanding of the wider aspects of safeguarding, such as the 'Prevent' duty and female genital mutilation.

Staff know children well and are quickly alert to any concerns or needs. This ensures that risks to children are minimised. The provider, who is also the designated safeguarding lead, understands her responsibilities to keep children safe.

For instance, she knows the correct procedures to follow regarding allegations against staff. Staff follow robust policies and risk assessments to ensure that children are cared for in a safe and secure environment.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: consider the interests of all children when planning adult-led activities to further support children's enjoyment and engagement in their learning nexplore further ways to help children to develop their self-care skills and high levels of personal independence during mealtimes.