BW Droxford Montessori School Limited

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this welcoming setting. They have exceptionally secure attachments with the extremely caring and nurturing practitioners.

Older and younger children have an incredible ability to sit and concentrate on their tasks. They are captivated by the well-thought-out activities provided by practitioners. Practitioners encourage children to strengthen their independence skills across the curriculum.

For example, children access their own paint, mix their own colours and then wash up their paint palette. The behaviour of children is exemplary. They have high levels of respect for each other, staff and th...eir environment.

Children remember to return resources to their rightful place as soon as they finish with them so that other children can use them. They also negotiate skilfully with each other to share resources harmoniously. Children show a superb understanding of risk taking and keeping themselves safe.

While they are out in the garden, they build an obstacle course. They test out whether the balancing beams are safe before adeptly balancing along them.

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

Teaching is inspirational.

Practitioners skilfully combine Montessori practice with the early years foundation stage framework. This creates a curriculum that challenges children and ignites their curiosity for learning.Practitioners know their key children exceptionally well.

The sessions are well planned and tailored to meet their individual needs. Practitioners have a very secure knowledge of their children's next steps. They monitor and accurately assess their development regularly.

Children make excellent progress and are well prepared for their next stage of learning.Children are taught about the world around them exceptionally well. They are actively involved in their own allotment and take pride in growing their own vegetables.

Children take part in regular forest school outings. They learn how care for the natural world around them and how to use tools, such as palm drills, safely.Practitioners skilfully build on children's knowledge.

For instance, children enjoy looking at the birds on the bird feeder. Practitioners prompt children to think about how they have identified birds previously. Children then enthusiastically use a reference book to identify the new bird and excitedly tell the practitioners 'it's a sparrow'.

Language is richly embedded. Practitioners routinely introduce new vocabulary. They also demonstrate how to use these in sentences to enhance children's understanding further.

Children frequently use their new vocabulary in play. For example, as children draw, they talk about the planets and the differences between them. Children are keen to share their understanding and knowledge of letters and sounds.

They excitedly bring in things for their 'sound of the week' box. For example, children eagerly use a violin, vegetables and a vest to demonstrate their knowledge of the 'v' sound.Practitioners foster a love of literacy.

Children listen attentively and respond eagerly to stories, rhymes and songs. They ask for stories throughout the day. They keenly re-enact favourite stories with an extensive range of props.

Practitioners skilfully use Montessori activities to strengthen children's pre-writing skills. For example, moving pieces of pasta with spoons to strengthen their hand-to-eye coordination.Children have excellent early mathematical skills.

They talk about the height of the 'space rockets' they have made and make comparisons between the rockets and themselves. Children have an exceptionally good mathematical vocabulary. They correctly name two- and three-dimensional shapes as they discuss which shapes would be better for their space creations.

The manager is passionate and ambitious. She is highly effective at supporting practitioners' well-being. She regularly meets with individuals to provide an opportunity for any concerns to be raised.

The manager precisely identifies any training or support needs quickly. She is continuously evaluating the provision in order to enhance the high-quality provision further.There are superb parent partnerships.

Parents comment that they feel that they are 'really lucky to be able to come here'. The pre-school staff pride themselves on being there for the whole family and not just the child. Parents are fully involved in their child's learning.

They talk highly of the home learning ideas that the team provides through the children's online journals.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Practitioners have an excellent understanding of their role in safeguarding children.

They have a clear knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse. Practitioners regularly update their expert knowledge through comprehensive training. This further enhances their ability to identify, understand and respond to any signs of possible abuse or neglect.

Practitioners fully understand the procedures to follow when they have a safeguarding concern. This includes knowing who to contact if there is a concern about another practitioner. Practitioners understand their responsibility to protect children from extreme views and beliefs.

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