Mace Montessori Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the nursery and show very positive attitudes to their learning. They are highly motivated and engaged in the exciting activities on offer. Staff have high expectations for all children.

They are effective in encouraging children of all ages and abilities to explore and join in. Children show high levels of confidence and are eager to learn and try new experiences from an early age. Children of all ages enjoy a wealth of opportunities to explore their senses.

Babies thoroughly enjoy smelling the different scents on the 'smelly socks'. Older children persevere as they identify diff...erent smells and tastes. Children have a real sense of belonging in the nursery and show that they feel at home and are secure.

Children engage superbly with each other and are respectful of others. They form strong relationships with staff and their friends and show great affection for each other. For example, babies smile and hug their friends.

Staff are excellent role models and help children to learn right from wrong. Children clearly understand what is expected of them. They play cooperatively, share resources and wait for their turn.

Younger and older children frequently spend time together. Older children come to talk to the younger children. This helps to develop social skills and enables children to feel part of the whole nursery.

However, occasionally, staff do not organise activities to maximise children's learning.

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

The leadership team has worked very effectively with staff to raise the quality of the provision. Leaders have reflected on and made improvements to all areas of the nursery provision.

For example, they have completed a thorough risk assessment of the premises and adjusted the layout of the nursery. Leaders closely monitor the movement of children between areas within the nursery, to ensure they remain safe. Staff ratios are met and staff are deployed effectively across the nursery, improving supervision and support for children.

Staff share strong relationships with parents. Parents' views are valued. They speak highly of the nursery and are very complimentary of staff and the support their children receive.

Staff regularly share information, for example regarding children's progress and interests. Parents are encouraged to borrow books from the nursery library to read to children, and an online resource is shared with parents to help support and extend children's learning at home.Staff know children's needs well and regularly monitor their progress.

Staff provide high-quality education for children. The ambitious and well-designed curriculum provides exciting activities which encourage children to learn. Leaders and staff build strong links with other relevant agencies and work closely together to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, identifying and narrowing any gaps in their learning.

Leaders provide ongoing support for staff and the manager, who is new in her role. Staff receive regular supervision and feedback on their practice, to help make ongoing improvements. Staff comment on how much they enjoy working at the nursery.

They have ongoing training opportunities. Recent training has helped encourage staff to develop activity folders, which they use to support them in identifying the impact of planned activities on children's learning, improving outcomes for children. Leaders make sure staff have time to talk to parents and to complete their records.

Children have good opportunities to learn about some of the benefits of healthy lifestyles. They enjoy nutritious foods which are freshly prepared on the premises. Children play with real food and pretend to make stews with vegetables.

They look at books and are able to identify healthy vegetables. Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise in the nursery garden. They make trips to the park and enjoy action songs, dance and yoga sessions.

Staff support children's communication and language skills. For example, they introduce new vocabulary during an ice painting activity. They talk about ice being 'cold, slippery and wet'.

Staff encourage babies and young children to repeat the names of animals during play. Overall, children who speak English as an additional language are supported well. Staff share their language skills, for example they sing songs in French.

However, occasionally, staff do not lead group activities as effectively as possible, to support children's learning to the highest level.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe.

They regularly complete child protection training. They know how to recognise possible signs of abuse and understand the steps to take if they have concerns about a child's welfare. Staff help children learn how to keep themselves safe.

For example, children learn how to use and carry scissors safely. Leaders have robust recruitment and supervision procedures to ensure the ongoing suitability of staff.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: review the organisation of group times to enhance learning opportunities to the highest level.