Harmony Montessori Nursery

Harmony Montessori Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Harmony Montessori Nursery School

Unique Reference Number EY284943 Inspection date 07 March 2006 Inspector Victoria Vasiliadis

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Harmony Montessori Nursery School

Setting Address Preston Park Cricket Pavilion, Preston Park, College Road, Wembley, HA9 8RJ Telephone number 0208 9085678

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E-mail

Registered person Anita Mohindra Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Full day care

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E-mail

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Harmony Montessori Nursery opened in 2004. It operates from the cricket pavilion within Preston Park in Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent. The setting serves the local and wider community. A maximum of 44 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The setting opens 5 days a week for 42 weeks of the year from 08:30 to 17:30. Children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 34 children under 5 years on roll. Of these 11 children receive

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 funding for nursery education. The setting supports a number of children who have English as an additional language. The setting currently employs eight staff who work directly with children, just under half hold a relevant child care qualification including the manager. Five members of staff are working towards a childcare qualification. The setting receives support from the Local Authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health within the setting is supported appropriately by staff who have a suitable knowledge of the provisions health and hygiene procedures. The sound hygiene procedures maintained enable children to be cared for in an environment that reduces the risk of infection. They are protected from infection as children do not attend if they are contagious. Children are given good opportunities to understand the importance of personal hygiene as staff explain to children why they must cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing. However, not all accident records are signed by parents. The setting does not maintain all the required information when medication has been administered to children. This is a breach of regulation. Children benefit from a healthy diet. They are able to help themselves to drinks and snacks during the day from the snack area. The children enjoy varied and nutritious

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Helping children to be healthy

meals and snacks such as curry with vegetable rice, fenugreek thepla (Indian fried bread) with plain yogurt, macaroni cheese and a selection of fruit. These take into account special dietary requirements to ensure children remain healthy. Children develop and extend their physical skills as they take regular exercise. The setting is based within the park enabling children to access large climbing apparatus, swings, see-saws, slides and to go for walks. Theses activities all contribute to improving children's physical health and well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well organised environment that is comfortably furnished and equipped enabling children to make good use of space that is child focused. The arrangement of the resources and equipment means that children can move around safely and freely. Children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect. Staff are aware of the settings child protection policy and have a clear understanding of the reporting procedures if abuse is suspected. The setting has in place clear and concise written records which staff have familiarised themselves with to ensure the safety of the children in their care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised within the setting which has good safety and security precautions. For example, there are clear written fire evacuation procedures in place and regular fire drills are carried out to ensure children and staff are aware of the procedures to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children under 3 years are engaged throughout their time within the setting, they play happily with each other and children share and take turns. Children are becoming independent as they choose from a wide range of resources that are well organised, easily accessible and enjoyed by children such as shape sorters, books, creative activities and a selection of construction equipment. They benefit from resources that are stimulating, challenging and age appropriate in order to extend children's learning and enjoyment. The children are provided with good opportunities to develop their physical skills as they have regular access to the outdoor area were they are able to run, climb, balance and jump using the apparatus in the park. Nursery Education The quality of the teaching and learning is good. Planning is effective and the children benefit from the staff's sound knowledge of the Foundation Stage curriculum.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The nursery is set up to encourage children to be independent and involved in various activities. The staff are well deployed and they extend children's vocabulary and thinking by asking open-ended questions. Staff have good relationships with the children and high expectations of children's behaviour. The children's individual involvement and interest in activities is observed and the information gained is used to plan the next step in the child's development. The children's attitudes to learning are positive and they spend extended periods of time concentrating on their chosen activities. Children are actively engaged in their play and activities throughout the day. Children interact well with adults and each other and play cooperatively. For example, three little girls sat in the snack area talking and laughing with each other whilst eating their snack. The children learn about the world they live in as they acknowledge and celebrate various festivals,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

such as Diwali and Chinese New Year. Children are confident speakers and engage in conversations with each other and adults. They are confident about handling books and have a developing understanding of the purpose of written language in their environment. For example, different areas of the nursery are labelled such as the maths and practical life area. Children are developing pencil control, but there are too few opportunities for children to be spontaneous in their writing and little encouragement given to children to write for a variety of purposes. Children are gaining independence and making choices, they have good opportunities to strengthen self-help skills and foster their independence effectively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 For example, they help themselves to equipment, play materials, use books independently, serve their own snacks and pour their own drinks. Children learn to count through a range of practical activities such as counting how many seconds they can hang from the monkey bars in the park. They are able to describe size and position during their play. Children are learning about shape and size as they confidently organise and match shapes according to size and length. Children have the opportunity to take part in a variety of physical activities. They have great fun in the park, skilfully using equipment to develop their balancing and climbing skills. Children explore colour and texture using a range of collage and painting materials. They thoroughly enjoy creating space ships and binoculars from a variety of boxes

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and plastic containers. However, children do not always have sufficient opportunities to develop and extend their imaginative skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Behaviour is of a consistently high standard. Children have a good understanding of the boundaries and behavioural expectations of the nursery and share and take turns well. They are learning to be polite to one another, this is because staff encourage the children to say please and thank-you to each other. Staff have a great deal of respect for the children and this is influenced in the children’s behaviour and the calm relaxed atmosphere created by the staff. This positive approach fosters children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Children are provided with a good range of resources that reflect positive images such as play people, books, globes and maps of the world. These resources are beginning to increase the children's awareness of diversity and understanding of others within the wider community. Partnership with parents and carers is good. There are effective procedures in place

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to share information with parents. This contributes significantly to children's wellbeing. Detailed information is provided about the Foundation Stage curriculum and the six areas of learning. Parents are able to access their child's progress records and staff are available to speak to parents about their child's progress at any time. The staff share information verbally, through the use of notice boards, parent evenings, newsletters and an informative introductory booklet is shared with new parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The setting regularly shares information with parents to keep them informed about their child. This contributes to the continuity in the children's care. However, the complaints policy is not in line with current regulations.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Just under half the staff working directly with children hold a recognised childcare qualification. However, two members of staff have recently completed training and are awaiting results. Well deployed staff mean that children are well supported in activities and clear policies and procedures ensure children's safety. The leadership and management of the setting is good. The provider has a commitment to training and the professional development of staff. The manager and staff work well together as a team, consequently this is reflected in the good practice which results in the children being happy and contented in the nursery. The manager uses discussions and regular meetings with staff to monitor the curriculum. There is a strong commitment from staff to develop all aspects of the service. The setting meets

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Organisation

the needs of the range of children for whom it provides care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure the complaints procedures and blank written logs hold up to date information following recent changes to regulation • ensure records are maintained of when medication has been administered and parents signatures obtained when accidents take place

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • provide children with more opportunities to be spontaneous in their writing and to write for a variety of purposes • provide children with more opportunities for creative play in particular to develop their imaginative skills

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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