MMI Preschool

MMI Pre-School Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY407707 Inspection date 21/10/2010 Inspector Lindsay Farenden

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Setting address 46 Leslie Grove, East Croydon, CR0 6TJ

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Telephone number 0208 686 2727 Email mariannebourke@tiscali.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 assesses 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 0300 123 1231, 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.

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T: 0300 123 1231 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

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

Modern Montessori International Pre School/day nursery is one of a group of four settings. It was registered in 2010 and operates from purpose built premises. There are various playrooms for children of different age groups, and offices, a kitchen and toilets for children and adults. Children have access to an enclosed area for outdoor play. It is situated in a residential area within walking distance of East Croydon station in the London borough of Croydon.

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Description of the setting

The pre school/day nursery is open from 7.30am to 6.30pm for 48 weeks of the year. The pre school/nursery is registered on the Early Years Register, to provide care for 73 children at any one time; of these, not more than 37 may be under 3 years, and of these not more than 16 may be under 2 years, at any one time. There are currently 50 children on role in the early years age group, of whom 16 children are in receipt of Early Years funding. The majority of staff hold an early years childcare qualification.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The staff create a safe and welcoming child-centered environment, and ensure children benefit from a wide rang of stimulating activities and Montessori equipment. Staff are fully inclusive in their practice and they recognize the uniqueness of every child. Continuity of care and learning is actively promoted through good partnerships with parents. The nursery is keen to establish effective links with other agencies and providers. The management team are fully aware of the strengths and areas for improvement within the nursery provision, and constantly thrive to improve the experiences and outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 make more use of observation and assessment to inform and guide planning; so that it is focused further on children's next step of learning  develop further links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, so children's learning and care are further complemented in the settings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

There is a strong emphasis on safeguarding; robust polices are followed by staff and shared with parents. Staff have a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child's safety and welfare. Excellent security systems are in place, such as a fingerprint entry system for parents. The environment both indoors and outdoors, and outside, is subject to thorough risk assessments, which ensures potential risks are effectively minimized. Rigorous recruitment and vetting procedures ensure that all staff working with children are suitable to do so. Fire fighting equipment is in place, and regular fire drills ensure staff and children learn to evacuate the premises quickly and safely. Children are taught to keep themselves safe through simple explanations, such as the need to sit on the chairs properly, otherwise they may fall and hurt themselves.

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the early years provision

The management team have a clear sense of purpose and of what they want to achieve, and support the development of the staff team well. The needs analysis of training is successful and ensures they keep up to date in childcare practice. An action plan has been put in place to ensure continuous improvement in the setting. For example, they have plans to develop the garden area to further enhance children's learning during outside play, and for children to develop their knowledge of the wider community through various outings. Links with schools have started to evolve and the management team are keen to develop this further, to enhance children's learning within the nursery.

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the early years provision

Staff have built very strong relationships with parents because they are open, friendly and approachable towards them. Right from the start, staff find out about children's skills, interests and needs, and use this information effectively to help children to settle and help them achieve further. Parents receive detailed information about all aspects of the setting through an excellent brochure that includes details on nursery polices and the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Daily written and verbal feedback provides parents with good information on their child's care routine and the play activities they have enjoyed taking part in. At the time of the inspection, parents were very complimentary about the nursery provision.

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the early years provision

Staff offer an inclusive service, supporting all children to actively participate in activities that meet their individual interests and needs. Children of all abilities are welcome in the nursery, and staff give good support children who use English as an additional language.

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the early years provision

Staff have a caring relationship with the children and form a strong attachment to them within the nursery. Children behave exceptionally well because they are constantly busy and benefit from the calm and harmonious atmosphere within the nursery. Staff are good role models, and they talk to the children in a pleasant manner. They give children lots of praise, which develops their self esteem and ensures they feel safe and secure within the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are clearly happy, and they settle extremely well in the well organized, nurturing environment. Children's individual needs are catered for very well. For example, children are encouraged to carry around their favourite soft toy from home if they wish, and each child has their own treasure box that they keep, and take out their own things to play with if they wish. Staff show a real interest in what children say and do, and they continually assist them with achieving their aims during activities.

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and outcomes for children

Babies are very content as staff endeavour to spend time with them on a one-to- one basis, making eye contact and talking to them. They respond positively to baby's spontaneous squeals, babbles and gurgles. Babies enjoy exploring a range of colourful manufactured toys and treasure baskets of natural items. Their care needs are met well as staff follow babies' individual feeding and sleep routines.

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and outcomes for children

All children, including babies, have good opportunities to explore colour, shape and textures through a variety of mediums, such as painting, corn flour, junk modelling and sticking activities. Children feel their art work is of value, as it is displayed on the walls throughout the nursery. Children thoroughly enjoy action songs, and babies enjoy having songs sung to them. Older children have great fun taking part in group games, such as "Ring-a-Ring-a-Roses." Young and older children enjoy developing their drawing and mark making skills as they freely access writing materials. The attractive and well presented book areas enable children to sit in comfort and develop a very keen interest in books and stories. Children use their imaginations well in the role play areas, engaging in purposeful play as they enjoy pretending to eat play foods, and brush doll's hair. Their imaginative skills are very well supported by staff who actively become involved in the children's play

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and outcomes for children

scenarios. Children are eager to understand how things work, as they use the CD player and explore toys that require them to press and turn buttons. Children have many opportunities to learn about the wider world through globes, maps and artefacts depicting different countries. Children access a good range of toys and books that reflect diversity, providing them with positive images of themselves and others.

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and outcomes for children

Children in the pre-school room show very high levels of independence, as the exceptionally good organisation of the Montessori resources actively encourages children to explore and learn through their own natural curiosity. Children confidently select their own materials, and when finished, place them back where they belong. They are beginning to count confidently, clearly understanding numbers that are important to them, such as their age. Children enjoy a wealth of Montessori resources, enabling them to develop a good understanding of the concepts of matching, sorting and classifying space, shape and measure.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with good opportunities to make progress across all six areas of learning. Staff make sensitive observations of children's achievements, although their next steps of learning are not always consistently linked to the planning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are developing positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle. They are able to freely choose, throughout the day, whether they want to play inside or in the garden. They thoroughly enjoy outside play as they ride bikes, use the climbing frame and play in the large sand pit, all of which help support their physical development. Older children profit from "fit and fun" sessions from a specialist outside teacher, which helps them to move and learn how to control their bodies in different ways. Children are making great strides in developing skills for the future. For example, older children clean their teeth after meals and serve themselves at

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and outcomes for children

meal times, and even young children are learning to pour their own drinks from small jugs.

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and outcomes for children

Children use very clean and well maintained premises in which staff maintain high levels of hygiene to protects children's health. The excellent adult support helps children to gain a good understanding of hygiene procedures and develops a real desire, from the children, to become increasingly independent in their personal care. A number of staff are qualified in administering first aid, and well stocked first aid boxes are easily accessible in each room. Children enjoy nutritiously balanced meals that they eat with relish. Staff ensure all specific dietary requirements are well catered for. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 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 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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