Patchwork Montessori Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children are at the heart of everything that the inspirational staff at this nursery provides. Each child is recognised as a unique individual and their interests are incorporated into their learning in an imaginative way. Children are extremely settled, happy and secure within this warm and very nurturing environment.

Staff shower babies with cuddles and affection, which babies receive with delight and respond with endless smiles. The environment that staff create is extremely heart-warming. Children form exceptionally close bonds with staff and feel a secure sense of belonging.

Staff are excellent role models ...and consistently promote good manners. For example, they explain to children the difference between right and wrong and encourage positive friendship and respect for others. Children are extremely well behaved.

They show continuous care and thoughtfulness for all of their friends and have strong relationships with each other and all of the staff.Children leave exceptionally well prepared for their later education. Every minute counts here.

Managers and their staff team have the highest expectations for all children and ensure that they benefit from a highly engaging and exciting environment. They gently encourage children to think about and plan what they will learn each day. Staff seize every opportunity to extend children's learning to ensure that every child makes the best possible progress.

Children crave a challenge and are extremely eager to learn. Older children develop very good mathematical skills as they count, recognise numerals and learn about the value of money. They can write their names and have excellent opportunities to develop their early writing skills.

Children love reading, listen intently and respond very well to instructions. Staff encourage children to persist, help them to think through problems and challenge them to extend their learning. They monitor children's progress meticulously and act promptly to identify weaker areas in children's learning and development.

All children make excellent progress throughout the nursery.

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

The experienced and dedicated manager provides exceptionally targeted support for staff and purposeful leadership. She is well supported by the provider and senior staff at the nursery.

Together, they promote an outstanding culture of continuous improvement and commitment to providing the highest level of teaching. Staff are very effectively deployed, with clear roles and responsibilities. This ensures everyone contributes to the richness of children's learning experiences.

Staff are given the time and support to learn new skills and complete their work to a high standard. Staff morale is very high, and they are ambitious for the success of all children in their care.Children's independence skills are highly impressive, especially in those who are older and getting ready to move on to school.

For example, they put their coats on easily by spreading them out and flipping them over their heads. Children have a secure understanding of their responsibilities to look after their environment and take care of themselves. Staff support children to manage their own personal care effectively.

Staff skilfully use mealtimes as learning opportunities, as well as a social occasion. For example, babies are encouraged to use spoons to eat their healthy and nutritious home-cooked meals and they do so confidently and with enthusiasm.Children benefit greatly from time spent outdoors.

They explore and investigate a wealth of natural and real-life materials. Children are exceptionally creative and imaginative. For example, they pretend they are making birthday cakes and fill tins with different 'ingredients' and use real kitchen utensils in the outdoor mud kitchen.

All children are independent and confident to explore the superb range of activities outdoors. Younger children are supported by sensitive and caring staff as they cruise, crawl and toddle. Older children show excellent coordination and balance as they skilfully negotiate balancing and climbing equipment and enthusiastically ride bicycles and scooters.

Children's communication and language skills are richly developed. Staff help babies to express their feelings and preferences. For instance, staff consistently smile, look the babies in the eye and talk gently and clearly.

Staff repeat the sounds babies utter and develop them into words and phrases. They take every opportunity to model and enhance children's vocabulary. For example, older children learn about the 'trumpet' and 'stem' of a daffodil when they enthusiastically take part in a flower colour changing experiment.

Partnerships with parents are extremely strong. Staff ensure that they involve parents in all aspects of their children's care and learning. For example, they share detailed information with parents about their children's learning and development and involve them in planning the next steps.

During the inspection, parents were highly complimentary as they described the exceptional care their children receive and the 'amazing' progress they have made.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have an excellent knowledge of safeguarding procedures.

They understand the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and know exactly how to monitor and report any concerns they may have. The manager places high regard on safeguarding. In addition to regular training, safeguarding procedures and practice are a key point of discussion during staff meetings and supervision sessions.

Risk assessments of the environment are highly effective. Staff regularly check the indoor and outdoor environments to ensure children can play safely. Recruitment and retention procedures are robust and ensure the ongoing suitability of all staff.

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