Unique Child Montessori Nursery

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. Unique Child Montessori Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY377692 Inspection date 28/01/2009 Inspector Christine Bonnett

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Setting address 2a Wood End Way, NORTHOLT, Middlesex, UB5 4QQ

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Telephone number 0208 4237300 Email admin@uniquechild.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

Unique Child Montessori Nursery is run by Unique Child Day Nursery Limited. It opened in 2008 and operates from a converted detached house in Northolt, in the London borough of Ealing. A maximum of 32 children may attend the nursery at any one time. It is open each weekday from 08.00 to 18.00 for 51 weeks of the year. Children have access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There is no lift to the first floor. A cloakroom for people with disabilities is available on the ground floor.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 42 children aged from two to four years on roll. The nursery employs six staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register, and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy a wide variety of fun and stimulating experiences at the nursery, which enable them to make good progress in all areas of learning. All children are valued as individuals, and staff take time to work with parents to find out about the particular needs of their child to give them warm and appropriate care. The management team at this new nursery are refining systems to be able to effectively self-evaluate the practice of the whole team, and continuously strive for ongoing positive changes to enhance the well-being of the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the environment enables children to concentrate on activities and gain maximum benefit during group sessions  ensure children have the opportunity to learn social skills and enjoy being with and talking to other children and adults at meal times.

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provision

The strong management team, comprising the provider, manager and deputy, share a common goal of building upon existing good practice to further enhance the experiences of the children attending. A rigorous recruitment procedure has been used to ensure an enthusiastic and suitably qualified staff team is in post that is able to adopt the policies and procedures of the nursery and focus upon the individual needs of the children. In house workshops have been conducted to ensure all staff, whatever their professional background and qualification in childcare and education, are aware of the links between the Montessori teaching ethos and the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to ensure there is cohesion in the teaching programme. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children’s welfare is safeguarded as staff have good knowledge of child protection

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provision

issues and the procedures for reporting concerns. In addition, routine safety checks are conducted on the premises to identify and minimise any potential safety hazards.

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provision

The nursery works closely with parents. Detailed information about their child is obtained before they join to ensure consistent care is given by the child’s key- worker. ‘Daily life sheets’ are completed by staff and given to parents to ensure they are kept well informed about how their child has spent their day. A verbal exchange of information also takes place. A wealth of relevant information about the nursery is displayed for parents, including information about the EYFS.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from the staff’s knowledge of the six areas of learning, and how to incorporate them effectively into the educational programme. Each child has a development record folder containing observations made during play. Staff assess each child’s level of achievement and plan the next step in their learning journey.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The free-flow system between indoors and out promotes the older children’s independence by enabling them to make more choices about the range of play they engage with. It also promotes physical play in the open air as they have greater access to the large apparatus in the garden.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Generally, children engage well with their chosen activities and concentrate for prolonged periods. However, disruption occurs during whole-group activities, such as the ‘Jolly Phonics’ session, as the group size is too large. Staff supervising the session are unable to give the appropriate level of support to each child to ensure they understand the purpose of the session, and gain maximum pleasure and benefit from it.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a variety of ‘home-cooked’ meals that take account of their individual dietary needs and which are served in sufficient quantities. Fresh fruit and drinking water is readily available for children to help themselves throughout the day. The routine at lunchtime for the older children does not create a relaxed and social atmosphere. Children are encouraged to help themselves to promote their independence. However, as there is not an individual serving bowl for each table, staff are not able to sit down, and children often have to wait an inappropriately long time to serve themselves. Consequently, they become restless, resulting in placemats and cutlery falling to the floor and children leaving the table.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s knowledge and understanding of the world is well promoted. Themes cover such topics as ‘The Polar Region’. Children learn about water freezing and thawing. In addition, the younger children looked at pictures of penguins and were encouraged to develop their creative skills by painting a picture of one. Each child produced his or her own unique work. These are valued by staff and displayed for all to enjoy. 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? 2 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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