Cator Park Montessori School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

The highly qualified staff have exceptional knowledge of how children learn. For example, they expertly talk about brain development and the impact this has on children's progress over time. Staff consistently provide inspiring learning experiences across the early years foundation stage curriculum and link them very successfully to the Montessori teaching method.

This helps all children achieve their very best. Children experience the awe and wonder of the world they live in. They enthusiastically investigate a range of natural objects, collected from the local park, and concentrate as they explore properties of land an...d water.

They have an extensive range of vocabulary they use with great confidence. Staff encourage children during activities to learn and use new words, for example, when they talk about geographical terms such as 'Europe' and 'continent'. Children's emotional well-being is of the highest priority.

Children regularly participate in relaxation sessions and spend ample time outdoors. During circle time children focus on a burning candle, maintain attention and demonstrate excellent listening skills. They practise different postures and learn how to breathe deeply and relax.

Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff have extremely high expectations for all children and they are excellent role models who consistently promote superb manners and behaviour. Children use very good manners and cooperatively follow the outstanding daily routines.

They gain self-control and respect others. Children participate fully when listening to stories and answer questions with imagination. Children concentrate extremely well and they take full account of staff's instructions and guidance.

Children feel safe and are emotionally secure.

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

Children are constantly enthused by the highly motivating learning opportunities. They engage in activities that require high levels of concentration.

For example, children carefully pour water and tiny objects from one jug to another and learn how to weave lengths of fabric. They demonstrate extremely high levels of confidence and feel exceptionally secure and safe as they play. Children benefit greatly from specialist sports sessions outdoors.

This provides them with excellent opportunities for physical exercise and coordination development.Children benefit from excellent opportunities to promote and extend their communication skills to an outstanding level. Staff encourage children's speech by creating superb opportunities for them to share their thoughts and ideas, for example when they extend children's learning and vocabulary as they play imaginatively.

Children excitedly say 'what's your emergency?'. Staff interact superbly with children. Children learn new words such as 'fire extinguisher', 'evacuation' and 'fire drill'.

Children eagerly engage in activities to reliably promote their mathematical skills. They are exceptionally motivated learners. Staff's expert teaching skills help build and combine what children know and can do.

They help children to remember mathematical skills and move on to more complex problems. For instance, children complete simple sums, and compare size and length. They move on to more complex problems, such as when using golden beads to make cubes from 10 to 1000.

Staff superbly support children's independence and confidence. Children are incredibly independent. They willingly help to clear the table after meals, recycle food waste and help to load a dishwasher.

They skilfully put on coats, waterproofs and boots before they play outdoors.The manager and staff receive focused and highly effective professional development opportunities, to consistently raise their knowledge and skills. The manager's positive attitude, consistent support and encouragement helps staff to achieve their full potential.

Staff grow in confidence and learn new skills. They keenly gain qualifications in childcare and Montessori teaching to develop their teaching skills to an outstanding level.Leaders are exceptionally dedicated to consistently providing outstanding childcare.

They successfully scrutinise strengths and identify areas for improvement, for example, the extensive development of the outdoor area and introduction of mindfulness sessions for children and staff. Leaders are exceptionally passionate to ensure all families receive their full free education funding entitlement to help all children flourish and make excellent progress. Leaders recognise the importance of providing extensive support for parents.

They are supported to the highest level to ensure all children access this nurturing, outstanding nursery.Leaders share their values and vision among all staff, who say they are extremely well supported. Staff participate in mindfulness activities, to further promote their well-being.

They are encouraged to complete peer-on-peer observation to help each other reflect on their practice and give consistent support for one another.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Leaders and staff demonstrate excellent knowledge of their safeguarding responsibilities.

They regularly attend safeguarding training to develop their secure knowledge. This helps them identify children who may need early help or are at risk of neglect, abuse or grooming. Leaders and staff understand their role to protect children from extreme views and beliefs.

They have a shared understanding and commitment to keep children safe. Leaders and staff confidently explain internal procedures and the local procedures to follow if they have a concern about a child's safety. Leaders manage safe recruitment extremely well and ensure all staff are suitable to work with children.