Montessori Minds

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely happy and secure.

They show a very strong sense of belonging and extremely positive attitudes towards learning. Staff plan an exciting and ambitious curriculum that captures children's interest. Children of all ages experience a broad and inspiring range of activities, that are well sequenced to fully enhance their learning.

All children benefit from language-rich environments with lots of discussion, songs and stories. For instance, babies delight in exploring messy-play activities, such as flour with paintbrushes and ice and water activities. Staff interactions are loving and playful as ...they model new language to support their understanding.

Toddler-age children show high levels of curiosity as they expand their knowledge of the world. For example, they enjoy listening to the story of Handa's Surprise, where staff skilfully encourage them to make predictions and discuss the different animals and fruits. Pre-school children learn about science and nature.

For instance, they enjoy watering plants and are introduced to words such as 'photosynthesis' and 'aroma'. They also show wonder when stargazing out in the garden as it becomes dark, and talk about the stars and the moon. Children behave extremely well.

They show high levels of engagement and kindness to each other. Staff are extremely attentive to children that need extra support to better understand boundaries and about expected behaviour.

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

Leaders are exceptionally dedicated and committed to their role.

They are extremely knowledgeable about child development and the benefits of different educational approaches. This knowledge is regularly shared with other staff members during staff meetings and during catch-up meetings. As a result, children benefit from expertly planned learning experiences that motivate and extend their learning.

Leaders place strong focus on staff members' well-being. For example, staff are supported to develop their knowledge and skills through high-quality training and professional development. They also have frequent well-being checks and attend workshops about the importance of mindfulness and achieving a good work and life balance.

Partnerships with parents are exceptional. Parents express extremely high levels of satisfaction with the care and education their children receive. They state that they highly value the dedication of the staff, the excellent communication and how they feel strongly involved in their children's learning.

Commitment to ensuring children have high levels of consistency at nursery and home is highly evident. For example, staff regularly deliver parent workshops such as 'supporting behaviour' or 'promoting literacy'. Furthermore, staff have good systems in place to support home learning.

For instance, they regularly suggest fun home-learning activities, such as cooking activities and also operate a book-lending library.Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported extremely well. Staff build collaborative relationships with other professionals and work closely with them to put extra support in place to enhance their learning.

Children benefit from high-quality interactions and teaching is strong. Leaders have the awareness and motivation needed to continuously enhance the quality of teaching to the highest possible level across the whole setting.Children have exceptional opportunities to reflect on their differences and understand what makes them unique.

For instance, children celebrate a wide range of cultural festivals and enjoy eating foods from around the world, dressing up and dancing to steel drummers and Bhangra drumming.Children have excellent opportunities to learn about their community and the wider world. For instance, when police officers and fire officers visit and talk to them about their personal safety.

Staff are excellent role models and children form strong bonds with them. Children are polite, confident to try new things and listen extremely well.Children are provided with excellent opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles.

For instance, they have daily opportunities to be active. The nursery has recently earned an award for supporting parents and children to eat a wide range of nutritious foods and make positive lifestyle choices.Leaders are highly reflective and constantly strive to make new improvements to successfully enhance children and families experiences.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Leaders have completed safer recruitment training and carry out rigorous recruitment procedures to help to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. All staff understand their shared responsibility to keep children safe.

They know what signs may indicate that a child is at risk of harm and understand procedures to follow about any concerns about children's welfare. Staff also understand the 'Prevent' duty which is in place to stop children and families being radicalised. Staff keep their first-aid training up to date and have completed the Millie's Mark first-aid award.