Elliston Primary School

Hopes & Dreams Montessori Nursery School Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 131700 Inspection date 24/07/2012 Inspector Sue Mann

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Setting address 339-341 City Road, Islington, London, EC1V 1LJ

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Telephone number 020 7833 9388 Email city@hopesanddreams.co.uk Type of setting Childcare - Non-Domestic 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

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

Hopes & Dreams Montessori Nursery School registered in 1997. It is run by a private company and operates from five large rooms in a converted house. It is located within the London Borough of Islington. All children share the enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the setting

The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. It provides free early education for three-and four-year- olds. The nursery follows the Montessori Method of teaching. The nursery is registered to care for a maximum of 123 children at any time. There are currently 158 children attending who are within the early years age range. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am until 7pm all year round.

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Description of the setting

The nursery supports children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs 27 members of staff who work directly with the children. All of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications to at least level 3. The nursery also employs 12 staff who fulfil other roles.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The nursery has an inclusive approach and all children are extremely well settled, safe and secure. Children's needs are met extremely well and they make exceptional progress as the nursery recognises the uniqueness of each child. Extensive systems are in place for observing, assessing and planning for children's learning and development overall. Children benefit from flourishing partnerships between the staff and parents due to highly effective information sharing. Regular self-evaluation by the management team and the staff makes sure that priorities for development are identified and acted upon. This results in provision that responds effectively to all users' needs and shows a highly impressive ability to sustain continuous improvement.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 exploring strategies to offer further support to the development of children's independence during their transitions within the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are superbly safeguarded as the nursery has exceptional safeguarding procedures, which include a finger print entry system. Staff attend regular training, which ensures that they know what to do should they have a concern about a child. Systems for recruiting staff are meticulous, ensuring that all staff undergo all the necessary checks to be working with children. Fire drills are practised regularly, which enables children to have an understanding of how to protect themselves in the event of an emergency. Comprehensive risk assessments and daily checks are carried out by staff, which helps to ensure the nursery is safe for children. A comprehensive range of policies, procedures and child records required for the safe and efficient management of the setting are fully maintained. These are reviewed regularly, which enables the nursery to ensure that they reflect current legislation.

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the early years provision

Efficient hygiene practices are fully embedded in nursery routines, with a team of expert housekeepers ensuring that all steps are taken to prevent the risk of infection. Therefore, children's good health and well-being is superbly promoted.

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the early years provision

Continual self-assessment by the management team, staff, parents and carers enables the nursery to formulate clear plans for the continual updating of practices, policies and resources. This means that, the nursery is continually responding to its user's current and future needs. Children benefit from a rich and vibrant range of natural and sensory resources, which are easily accessible from the low-level shelves and baskets all around the rooms. Children's individual needs are extremely well met through the rich and highly stimulating environment, which offers limitless opportunities for explorative and investigative play. Children are encouraged to be respectful of others and their surroundings using the Montessori approach. This provides a nurturing and enriching environment in which the children develop an exceptional understanding of considering others feelings and their environment.

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the early years provision

The nursery has formed highly impressive partnerships with the parents and carers. Parents are fully informed of their children's progress through the meticulously detailed learning journals and observation folders. This enables parents to keep up to date with their children's learning and development achievements. The creation of transition folders helps parents to understand their child's transition from one room to another. Clear pictures of staff help parents to recognise their children's new key person, as well as detailed information about the activities and routines within the new room. Daily verbal and written feedback enables parents and staff to work together to promote continuity of care routines. Parents are encouraged to become involved fully within the nursery; they attend regular parent's evenings and are kept fully informed of nursery events through the monthly newsletter. Parents and staff are encouraged to share their cultures

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the early years provision

with the children through special cultural celebrations, food tastings and activities.

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the early years provision

The nursery has developed excellent links with other professionals, such as Early Years Advisors and the local authority; this allows them to seek support and advice This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 should they require additional help.

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and outcomes for children

A well-planned and extensive settling in process enables children's transition into the nursery's care is smooth. Parents comment that they are happy with the gradual settling-in process, which enables them their children to adjust gradually to the new surroundings, routines and staff. Therefore, children display high levels of security in their surroundings and are clearly happy and settled. Staff observe each child, which enables them to identify any additional needs early and provide appropriate support to help children to make outstanding progress from their starting points. Staff use their comprehensive knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Montessori approach to support children's learning and development. Highly effective systems are in place for observing and planning to fully support children's progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to lead exceptionally healthy lifestyles through the exciting range of healthy snacks, such as fruit, crackers and breadsticks. Excellent home cooked meals prepared by the cook introduce the children to a wide range of cultures and tastes. Children tuck into meals, such as fish stew and potatoes for lunch. Vegetarian options and any dietary requirements are catered for by the cook. The babies enjoy a range of pureed and finger foods for their lunch. Children's independence is highly promoted as they prepare their own snacks from the rolling snack bars. They help themselves to fresh drinking water when they become thirsty, which is available daily and continually refreshed by staff.

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and outcomes for children

Children are further encouraged to be as independent as possible within the Montessori approach. Children are able to self-select equipment from the abundant range of natural resources easily accessible from the low-level shelves and baskets. They practise practical life skills from the range of interesting and challenging trays on the shelves. They take care to tidy up each tray after use and put it back on the shelf. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before food, after going to the toilet or being outside. The children are extremely well behaved and polite to each other and the staff.

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and outcomes for children

The nursery has a small enclosed outdoor play area. Children enjoy watering the plants they are growing, washing the play equipment and playing with the range of resources. As the garden has limited opportunities for children to fully develop their physical skills, staff ensure that the children have daily exercise and fresh air by taking them to the local park, which promotes their good health and well-being. This allows them to run about and use large play equipment to develop their balance and climbing skills.

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and outcomes for children

The Montessori approach makes full use of natural resources and interacting with their environment. Children flourish within this supportive environment, staff constantly praise the children as they play and explore the resources, which are designed to prepare children for later life. 'Practical life trays' allows children to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learn basic skills for the future. This enables children to practise skills, such as control when pouring dried beans from one jug to another or opening a range of boxes using their fine motor skills. An exciting and stimulating range of numeracy equipment encourages children to develop their counting and awareness of numbers through number blocks and rods.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a rich understanding of the world around them through celebrating different customs and cultures. Staff have created wonderful culture bags, with pictures and other resources they have brought in, which allows the children to explore different cultures and customs. A highly impressive range of resources, music and posters further develops children's understanding of diversity. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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