Maria Montessori Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children settle quickly and thoroughly enjoy their time at this welcoming and inclusive nursery. Staff are caring and promote children's well-being effectively. They know children well and have built strong relationships.

Children smile and have fun. For example, role-play is a current interest, they pretend the be hairdressers and style each other's hair. Children share resources and happily invite each other into their play.

The curriculum is well designed and understood by staff, it has a current focus on children's personal, social, and emotional development. Overall, the curriculum builds on what children know and... can do. This supports all children to make good progress.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are well supported. The knowledgeable staff work with children, their families, and outside agencies when necessary to provide the appropriate support and quickly bridge gaps in children's development. Children behave well, they are polite and respectful, and show they know the nursery 'golden rules'.

Staff have high expectations regarding children's behaviour. They model polite manners and turn taking. This helps children to understand the expectations and follow the good examples set.

For instance, when children are exploring the garden resources to make obstacle courses, they show maturity as they listen to each other's ideas. They patiently wait for their friends to help lift heavy materials, and take turns to use the course they have built.

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

Children's communication and language skills are promoted well.

Staff introduce lots of new vocabulary and continually narrate activities for younger children. Singing is a key part of the nursery's curriculum for communication and language. This helps children to develop their understanding and ability to express themselves.

Children are confident communicators.Children show pride in being able to do things independently, knowing that staff are on hand to offer support and encouragement if needed. For instance, when children arrive, they change into nursery shoes, at snack time they pour their own drinks, select their own food, and undertake personal care routines with little support.

This helps children to develop the skills they will need as they move onto school.The provider is ambitious and has a clear understanding of the strengths and areas for development across the nursery. For instance, they have recently had a focus on the outside space and providing children with resources that require them to use their imagination and work as a team.

They understand the importance of children having opportunities to explore their physical capabilities.Older children show maturity as they learn to pedal bicycles, and challenge themselves to balance as they walk across planks. Children show determination and keep practising new skills.

Staff pay attention to routines and generally vary these according to children's needs. However, on occasion the structure of the day limits children's choices about where they would prefer to play. For example, changes in routines and the plan for the day can disrupt children's good levels of concentration at activities.

Staff help children to learn about the world. They teach them about mutual respect and acceptance. For example, children enjoy learning about different cultures and values.

They bring in photos from home that reflect differences in families to share with their friends. Children discuss how others have different eye, hair, and skin colour. They are developing an understanding of life in modern Britain.

Partnerships with parents is a strength of the nursery. Parents are provided with detailed information regarding their child's next steps in development. They are given support and ideas to continue learning at home.

Furthermore, the staff take time to get to know children and their extended families through the well-planned settling visits. Children feel confident as they have built secure relationships with their keyperson.Staff are happy and feel well supported.

The provider spends regular time with staff to discuss their well-being, and the needs of the children across the nursery. The provider places an importance on giving staff the skills they need to develop their practice and teaching across the setting. They attend training and have regular staff meetings where the team can get together to reflect and discuss the curriculum.

The provider carefully considers how to spend any additional funding, ensuring that it is individualised to meet the needs of the children. For instance, recent funding has been used to purchase inside climbing equipment. This has proved effective when children need a safe space to be physical.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that put's children's interests first.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: review daily routines to ensure children can continue their play and learning without interruptions.