St Matthew Academy

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 15/09/2003 Inspector Name Pauline Nazarkardeh

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name CAROL JANE MONTESSORI NURSERY Setting Address 80 The Ridgeway Enfield Middlesex EN2 8JF

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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ABOUT THE INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality and standard of day care in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents. If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan.

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Information about the setting

Carol Jane Montessori Nursery opened in 1992. It operates from a converted house in Enfield . The nursery serves the local area. There are currently 30 children from two to five years on roll. This includes 13 funded three-year-olds and one funded four-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens 5 days a week all year round. Sessions are from 08.00am until 15.00pm. Six staff work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. The setting receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP). The nursery uses the Montessori teaching method.

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How good is the Day Care?

Carol Jane Montessori Nursery provides good care. The staff know and understands the children they care for and ensure children's individual needs are met . The premises are warm and welcoming and provide space for children to play. There are a wide range of toys and equipment available and accessible to children. The staff have a clear understanding of how to provide a safe environment for children. There are systems in place to ensure the safe arrival and departure of the children. The person in charge has identified a member of staff responsible for child protection issues who is responsible for continuing to develop the nursery policies and procedures, this should include the procedure for if an allegation is made against a member of staff. The range and quality of activities offered is good. The staff show a good knowledge of individual children's interests and stages of development. They provide interesting

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How good is the Day 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 opportunities for children to develop and learn. Children's independence and respect for each other is encouraged. Parents are provided with written information about the nursery in the form of policies and procedures. Staff spend time exchanging information with parents about their children each day. They aim to provide care that is in accordance with parents wishes. Documentation is well organised with established systems in place to record and hold written records. The system to record children's arrival and departure times is not effective. The information needed from parents to provide care, which meets each child's individual needs, is in place.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Since the last inspection the staff have undertaken a number of training courses and workshops in order to keep up to date with current child care practice, and health and safety regulations.

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What is being done well?

• The organisation of the premises to allow children to move between rooms, having access to all equipmenet. • There is a strong emphasis on listening and respecting what the children say and do. Children are confident to voice their opinions and staff take the time to listen and ask appropiate open ended questions.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

The organisation of the premises and gardens provides children with opportunities to access a wide range of equipment and activities in order to develop their independence. Much of this organisation is linked to topic work and the children are able to learn about a wide range of topics within a child centered environment. There are three gardens which are used for a variety of purposes they include sensory area, physical play, nature garden, a memoral garden for a child who attented the nursery and growing section. These areas increase children's confidence and provide them with new and challenging experiences which promote their learning in all areas.

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What needs to be improved?

• opportunities for children to be more involved in the preparing and serving of there food at meal times; • ensure that the register records children's actual time of arrival and departure; • extend the policy for child protection to include the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff.

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What needs to be improved?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

All registered persons must comply with all conditions of registration included on his/her certificate of registration. As a result of this inspection conditions of registration have been imposed / varied / removed and a new certificate of registration will be issued.

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 8 provide opportunities for children to be more involved in the preparing and serving of their food at meal times. 13 extend the policy for child protection to include the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff. 14 ensure that the register records children’s actual time of arrival and departure

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by the time of the next inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

Carol Jane Montessori Nursery provides a friendly, welcoming environment where children learn through a range of well planned and stimulating activities. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. They learn through a balance of play and more formal lessons and make very good progress in all areas of learning. Teaching is very good with some very good aspects. Staff have a excellent understanding of the early learning goals and use this knowledge to plan an effective curriculum. They use a variety of teaching methods to promote children's curiosity and learning. There are opportunities for children to initiate their play and to be taught individually or in small groups. The leadership and management of the nursery is very good. The management structure promotes staff training and development. The nursery owner and manager work to support staff and ensure consistency of good practice throughout the team.

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How effective is the nursery education?

Staff are committed to furthering their professional development and continue to evaluate their working practices. Partnership with parents is very good. Parents have opportunities to exchange information about their children's progress with staff. They are encouraged to be involved in their children's learning and are informed of topics and activities.

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What is being done well?

• Provides a welcoming and stimulating environment in which children can socialise and participate in a wide range of worthwhile activities which support their all-round development. • Promotes all aspects of children's personal, social and emotional development. The children are developing respect for themselves and others and the standard of their behaviour is good. • Encourages children's mathematical development, for example their ability to count, sort, order and their ability to recognise numerals, shapes and patterns.

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What needs to be improved?

• opportunities for children to develop their independence at meal times.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

staff have undertaken a range of training courses;

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 the systems for recording the children's development now covers all areas of learning the organisation of the children's room under the six areas of learning.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are making generally good progress in this area. Staff are enthusiastic and welcoming and this enables all children to have confidence to try new activities. They value the children and their ideas, and listen attentively, responding to their suggestions. The children understand the need to take turns, share and work within agreed codes. Generally the children are independent and they self select their activities however at meal times this is not the case.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good The children are making very good progress in this area. They talk confidently, sharing their ideas and making their needs known. Staff skilfully support activities, fostering children's language development, extending their vocabulary and enabling them to become increasingly proficient communicators. They learn new vocabulary at planned and spontaneous times during the day. Reference is made to letter names and sounds and some children are beginning to write their names.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in mathematical development. They are learning to count through a range of practical activities. Number songs, stories and games and computer programmes are used to introduce children to addition and subtraction. Children use mathematical language effectively. Within practical activities staff help the children to use their growing mathematical knowledge to solve problems, for example, asking the children to place numbers in order on the number line.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in this area of learning. They talk about themselves and remember past events. They learn about people living in the community by planned topics and those in other communities through supporting the Spiti Village Project in India. Children have opportunities to build with a range of construction equipment. There are many opportunities for children to learn about every day technology.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good The children are making very good progress towards achieving the early learning goals for their physical development. They move confidently, imaginatively and safely. They are developing increasing control over their bodies and they have good opportunities to travel around, over, under and through balancing and climbing equipment. In general they show a good awareness of space and others and they use a range of large and small equipment with increasing skill.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good The children are making very good progress in the area of creative development. They are able to participate in a wide variety of activities and to use an extensive range of resources to explore colour, texture, shape, space and form in two and three dimensions and to respond in a variety of ways to what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel. The children have good opportunities to listen to, and respond to music and they use musical instruments on a regular basis.

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Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • Provide opportunities for children to develop their independence at meal times.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

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STANDARD 2 - ORGANISATION

The registered person meets required adult: child ratios, ensures that training and qualifications requirements are met and organises space and resources to meet the children's needs effectively.

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STANDARD 3 - CARE, LEARNING AND PLAY

The registered person meets children's individual needs and promotes their welfare. They plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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STANDARD 4 - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. They provide adequate space in an appropriate location, are welcoming to children and offer access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities which promote their development.

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STANDARD 5 - EQUIPMENT

Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are of suitable design and condition, well maintained and conform to safety standards.

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STANDARD 6 - SAFETY

The registered person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

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STANDARD 7 - HEALTH

The registered person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill.

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STANDARD 8 - FOOD AND DRINK

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.

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STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.

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STANDARD 11 - BEHAVIOUR

Adults caring for children in the provision are able to manage a wide range of children's behaviour in a way which promotes their welfare and development.

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STANDARD 12 - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND CARERS

The registered person and staff work in partnership with parents and to meet the needs of the children, both individually and as a group. Information is shared.

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STANDARD 13 - CHILD PROTECTION

The registered person complies with local child protection procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee and ensures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

Records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, or to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. Records about individual children are shared with the child's parent.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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