The Beehive Montessori

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. The Beehive Montessori Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY365468 Inspection date 03/11/2008 Inspector Louise Bonney

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Setting address Village Hall, Southwood Road, Shalden, ALTON, Hampshire, GU34 4DX Telephone number 01420 542416 Email enquiries@beehive-alton.co.uk Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

The Beehive Montessori is a privately run Montessori based preschool. It was newly registered in 2007 under new ownership but the preschool has been running since 1990. The setting is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. It operates from one main room in Shalden Village Hall near Alton, Hampshire. The hall is easily accessible and has facilities for those with disabilities and there is a secure outdoor play area.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 20 children on roll, all within the early years age range. Of these 14 receive early years education funding. Up to 20 children may attend at any time. The preschool is open each weekday during term-time only, on Monday and Tuesday from 09:00 until 15:00, and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 until 12:30. There are three staff, two of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at levels 3 and 4 and are working towards higher qualifications, one has qualified teacher status for primary education.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy attending the setting and receive good support for their care and learning. The owners continually assess and develop the provision to benefit the children. They have good relationships with parents and are developing partnerships with other provisions children attend in order to provide continuity. The setting welcomes children from a variety of cultural backgrounds and works towards providing an inclusive environment.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 implement hygienic hand-washing procedures  develop further the assessment of children's progress in all areas of learning and use these assessments to identify their next steps and to inform planning establish opportunities for play and learning that acknowledge children's particular religious beliefs, language and cultural backgrounds.

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provision

Children benefit from the good organisation of the provision. Staff are committed to providing good quality experiences for the children. They maintain documentation and records and develop effective policies and procedures. They carry out written risk assessments for the premises and outings. This safeguards the children.

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provision

The owners continually monitor the provision and identify areas for improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They implement action plans, such as the provision of more wheeled toys, the introduction of new achievement records and revised planning systems. They identify areas for future development, such as the need to identify and share children's next steps in learning with parents through the new achievement records, and to further develop the outdoor area. They train for higher qualifications and attend cluster group meetings to widen their knowledge and establish links with other providers. This benefits the children’s care and learning effectively.

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provision

Staff build effective partnerships with parents, who appreciate the quality of the provision. Parents receive printed information about the setting and share their children’s records. Parents read and contribute to children’s individual achievement files and support planned themes by providing items from home. Sometimes children take activities home, such as short counting or phonic activities. This supports children’s learning as parents and staff build on their experiences and learning together. Staff exchange information with some other provisions individual children attend, and are working towards developing links with all other providers. This helps to support continuity in care and learning for the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning. Staff seek information from parents about children’s starting points and observe them during their activities. Children build on their prior knowledge through staff monitoring their ability when using the Montessori equipment available. Staff use their experience and knowledge to extend children’s learning, such as when they encourage children to listen carefully and repeat lines of a rhyme to develop their language skills, or provide games that require cooperation with the parachute. This provides children with suitable levels of challenge across all areas of learning. New achievement records have been set up to complement the Montessori records. Staff use photographs and written observations to show how children progress and parents contribute to this record. However, they do not yet use these achievement records to clearly identify children’s next steps in learning and to support planning for their individual needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children participate in a wide range of activities which include visiting the church, mobile library and nature walks. Visitors share their cultures, when children play ethnic percussion instruments, dress up in clothes and taste foods from other countries. Parents share festivals they celebrate at home, and the group is working towards establishing links with a preschool in another country. This develops children’s awareness of similarities and differences within the wider community. However, not all children’s home backgrounds and languages are yet reflected in the provision to ensure they all benefit from being included. Staff support children’s awareness of mathematics and literacy well during adult-led Montessori activities. Children sound out and use their finger to draw round letters, more advanced children use phonics when reading simple words. They explore shape and weight as they sequence blocks and sing counting rhymes. They observe how

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

bulbs they have planted are growing and show awe as they explore dark corners with a light stick. They have planned opportunities to use technology, such as a loaned technology box with programmable toys or the group’s computer. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children develop high levels of independence. They dress themselves for outdoor play, which is freely accessible for most of the session. They wash up their cups and plates after snack time. They know the rules, such as taking out one Montessori activity at a time and placing it on a mat. Staff organise the setting so that children safely and independently select their activities and resources as they initiate their own play and learning. Children show good levels of confidence as they approach staff and interact with them. Staff model kind and considerate behaviour which children respond well to. Children’s behaviour supports their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

learning, as they choose to join the group for story time and sit attentively, or join in with action rhymes and songs. They develop friendships with others as they help them complete chosen tasks, organise races together, share and take turns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play in safe and clean premises, where staff are vigilant to ensure children are safeguarded at all times. Children learn how to stay safe, such as when staff show them how to carry scissors. They show good understanding of hygiene as they wash their hands at appropriate times, throw litter in the bin and help themselves to healthy snacks. However, children share a bowl of water to wash their hands in, which does not sufficiently prevent the spread of germs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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