Montessori Pre-School CentralOfsted inspection, 17 Nov 2009

Montessori Pre-Schools Central Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY382560 Inspection date 17/11/2009 Inspector Elaine Marie McDonnell

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Setting address 46 Southfield Road, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS1 3EU

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Telephone number 01642 252 723 Email afzalkhushi@hotmail.co.uk Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as

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you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Montessori Pre-Schools Central is the second day nursery owned by a private partnership. It is was registered in November 2008 and is situated close to the town centre in Middlesbrough. Children are accommodated on the ground and first floors of the building. The third floor holds an office and staff room. Children share access to an enclosed outdoor play area with safety surface and some shelter in place.

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Description of the setting

The provision is registered on the Early Years Register. Up to 30 children under eight years may be cared for at any one time. There are currently 25 children on roll, aged between six months and four years, attending for a variety of sessions. There are a small number of children who speak English as an additional language attending the setting.

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Description of the setting

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. Children aged over eight years may be cared for outside of school hours when requested. The nursery operates each weekday, all year round, with the exception of a week over the Christmas period and public holidays. Opening times are between 7.30am and 6.00pm.

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Description of the setting

There are four members of staff employed to work directly with the children, excluding the nursery manager. All hold appropriate childcare qualifications, most being at Level 3 and the manager also has a Level 4 qualification. Additional staff transfer from the provider's other nursery to cover shifts when needed. One of the nursery owners has been trained in the Montessori teaching method but does not work directly with the children. However, he has conveyed some of his training knowledge to some staff who do work directly with the children.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the nursery and are beginning to form good relationships with staff and peers. Staff lack confidence in the Montessori teaching method but demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. They plan a varied range of activities and play experiences, which results in children making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. Inclusive practice is effectively promoted within the nursery and staff are aware of children's individual capabilities, health needs and preferences. Appropriate procedures are in place to support children whose main language at home is not English. An appropriate self-evaluation process has been introduced since the previous inspection and the provision maintains the capacity for continuous improvement. However, a key action from the previous inspection relating to designated staff attending child protection training has not been

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

addressed. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 practitioners with lead responsibility for safeguarding must attend a child protection training course (Safeguarding and welfare) 17/02/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 create an environment which invites responses from babies and adults, for example, by improving social interaction during mealtimes  ensure that older babies' independence is effectively promoted, for example, by allowing them to help to feed themselves  ensure that children have more regular access to the Montessori play equipment  ensure that risk assessments include outings where children are transported to and from a local school  ensure that written records about children are shared more effectively with parents.

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the early years provision

The action from the previous inspection relating to staff attending child protection training has not been addressed. However, since the previous inspection all staff have increased their knowledge of and understanding of safeguarding issues, including the comprehensive procedures which are in place within the nursery. Some key staff are registered with the local authority to attend a child protection training course that has been rescheduled for next February. Robust recruitment, vetting and induction procedures are in place to ensure that staff working with children are suitable. An appropriate appraisal system is in place to ensure that staff training needs are identified and addressed. Staff have had access to some training courses since the last inspection, including first aid and food hygiene.

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the early years provision

The provider demonstrates a good commitment to progress and improvement and an effective self-evaluation process has been introduced since the previous inspection. The process includes the involvement of all staff and takes account of parents' views. As a result, areas for further development have been identified and appropriately prioritised. The outdoor play area is continuously being improved and developed.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Daily safety checks and comprehensive risks assessments are undertaken to minimise all risks to children and adults. However, no assessment has yet been undertaken for outings that involve children being transported to and from a local school. Deployment of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 resources is satisfactory. Children have good access to a varied range of general activities and resources, including outdoor play equipment. However, the Montessori play equipment is not as easily accessible to children and the use of these resources is not well promoted. Adult to child ratios are effectively maintained throughout the day.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are satisfactory. Staff obtain information from parents about children's individual needs and preferences, which is used as a basis for initial care. Staff regularly observe children and use the information to record development and plan future learning goals. However, this information is not effectively shared with all parents and they are not included in planning future learning goals for their children. The nursery has attempted to form links with a local primary school that children also attend and they have devised an effective way of sharing information regarding accidents and incidents.

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and outcomes for children

An appropriate key worker system is in place, however, records indicate that not all parents are aware of who their child's key worker is. Staff plan a varied range of activities and play experiences for children which results in them making satisfactory progress in relation to their starting points. Children participate in age- appropriate activities both indoors and outdoors, including planting seeds and caring for plants during the summer. Older children have a French and yoga lesson once a week from additional staff who attend the setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children present as feeling safe and are settled in the nursery. They have good opportunities to learn about personal safety. For example, they are involved in regular fire drills, they have recently enjoyed a visit from the police, and older children demonstrate good understanding of safety procedures when using the stairs to access the first floor.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to learn about and adopt healthy lifestyles and habits. They are provided with healthy and nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day. Meal and snack times are observed to be relaxed and sociable occasions for most children. However, the procedure for feeding babies does not promote social interaction as staff do not sit down with the children and are not at their eye-level. In addition, older babies are not routinely encouraged to help to feed themselves, which does not effectively promote their independence.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well-behaved and are observed reminding each other to say 'thank you'. Behaviour is well managed by staff who promote a relaxed and friendly environment. Children's communication, language and literacy is appropriately promoted. The computer is not in working order at the time of the inspection, however, children have access lots of other programmable and electric toys which help to promote their knowledge and understanding of the world. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

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

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