Blackheath Montessori Centre

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children thrive in the inclusive environment and are extremely happy. They are confident, self-assured and show exceptional levels of independence.

For example, they keep themselves busy, independently choosing their learning once they arrive at the pre-school. Children talk confidently and use a range of vocabulary in their everyday speech. For instance, children use words such as 'dehydrated' and 'lethargic' as they have discussions about the importance of drinking water.

Leaders and staff set exceptionally high expectations for all children and provide an extremely ambitious curriculum. Older children who have maste...red the concept of adding and subtracting are challenged to solve multiplication and division problems. Children quickly deepen their knowledge of letters and sounds, and begin to apply this in reading.

Younger children are developing excellent handwriting skills. For example, they can hold a pencil properly and learn to trace numbers and letters. Most older children can confidently write their names and spell simple words.

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They are polite and play exceptionally well with their peers. For example, children often say 'excuse me please' if they want to ask a question or join an activity.

They are keen to share resources with their friends and include them in their chosen activity. Children have formed long-lasting friendships in the pre-school and feel extremely safe and secure.

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

The quality of education is outstanding.

The dedicated staff team provide a stimulating and vibrant learning environment where children of different ages and abilities are exceptionally eager to explore, investigate and learn through play. Teaching is extremely challenging and tailored to children's individual needs and stages of development. Children make excellent progress in their learning and development.

Staff build secure and trusting relationships with all children. They follow a robust and carefully tailored approach when children start at the pre-school to help them settle in. Staff are highly successful in promoting children's positive relationships and excellent behaviour.

All children are exceptionally well prepared, emotionally and socially, as they move on to the next stage in their learning, including starting school.The curriculum provision for mathematics and literacy is exceptionally strong. Staff use their skills, knowledge and training extremely well to extend children's mathematical and literacy development.

For example, they support children to understand mathematical concepts, such as 'place value of a number' and 'time'. In addition, those exceeding in reading are introduced to punctuation to help challenge them further. Children develop secure foundations for future learning.

Parents are extremely positive about the pre-school. They appreciate the approachable and passionate staff. Staff use highly effective strategies such as the online assessment system, meetings and workshops to support parents' engagement.

Parents report that staff keep them well informed and treat their children as individuals.Children benefit from extra-curricular activities, such as music, French and sports, to build on their interests and acquire skills for life. Children get delighted as they practise high and low musical notes on a pretend piano and a xylophone.

Children are proud to demonstrate their proficiency in another language as they say 'hello' and count in French.Staff are highly skilled at supporting children to understand the link between healthy eating and healthy bodies. For example, they teach children about the different nutrients derived from food and how this benefits the body.

Children learn to understand that fruits and vegetables are good for the immune system, while eating too much sugary food is not so good on the teeth.Supervision and training arrangements to monitor staff practice are highly effective. Staff benefit from good training opportunities and mentoring to help them develop and build on their skills.

Staff have regular well-being sessions to discuss the workload, career progression and any other personal issues to help them carry out their duties efficiently.The management team has not prioritised their own professional development to help address minor weaknesses in practice. For example, they failed to recognise the correct procedure to follow when an incident was brought to their attention.

Despite this, they have a strong vision and are committed in their pursuit for excellence.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Management and staff implement robust policies to help safeguard children's welfare.

They have a suitable understanding of child protection, including the procedure to follow if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. In addition, they understand their responsibilities under the 'Prevent' duty. Staff carry out regular checks of all areas of the premises to remove any potential hazards to children's safety.

The management team follow effective recruitment procedures to ensure the suitability of staff working with children. They ensure that required records relating to care practice, such as records of complaints, are kept as required.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: nenhance ongoing professional development to precisely address minor weaknesses in leadership and management.