Olive Tree Montessori

Olive Tree Montessori Manor Park Young People's Centre, Villiers Road, Slough, SL2 1NP

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16/06/2014 10/01/2014

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 4 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Children are happy and secure. They access a wide range of resources, which support their interests and learning effectively.  Staff establish positive relationships with parents who are kept informed about their children's progress and well-being.  The outdoor area provides an exciting range of experiences that contribute well to all children's overall development.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because

 Hygiene routines for children are not consistent and do not fully encourage their independence.  Staff have not considered different ways to support and encourage children's literacy skills by providing a range of writing equipment that are always easily accessible, wherever children are playing.  Arrangements to develop secure partnerships with the schools to which children may transfer are not well embedded.

p.1

Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

p.2

Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the main base room and in the nursery garden.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of staff working with children.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled children's learning profiles, planning documentation and a selection of policies and children's records.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to during the inspection.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector held meetings with the manager and the director of the setting and spoke with staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

p.2

Information about the setting

The Olive Tree Montessori registered in 2011 and is a privately owned nursery. It operates from rooms within the Manor Park Young People's Centre in Slough, Berkshire. Children have access to an enclosed outdoor play area. The intake of children is mainly from the local community. The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register. There are currently 55 children on roll aged from two years to the end of the early years age group. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three and four years. Staff support children learning English as an additional language. The nursery opens during school term times, on weekdays from 8.30am to 3pm. The nursery employs six staff, of whom four hold appropriate early years qualifications. Staff promote the Montessori educational philosophy with an Islamic cultural ethos.

p.3

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 extend children's opportunities to develop their literacy skills by providing a range of writing equipment that are always easily accessible, wherever the children are playing

p.3

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 develop the partnerships with other settings in order to share information regarding children's learning to consistently promote their progress and to help the older children be well prepared for when they leave the nursery and move onto school

p.3

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 encourage children's awareness of their own health by supporting them in their independence skills such as regular hand washing routines.

p.3

who attend

Children enjoy attending the nursery because staff provide them with an inviting range of activities and experiences overall. Staff offer appropriate levels of support to ensure children have opportunities to make effective progress towards expected levels of development. Newly introduced procedures to gather initial information from parents mean that children's starting points are now assessed. There is an appropriate balance between those activities children select for themselves, and those led by an adult, to provide a balanced range of experiences across all required areas of learning.

p.3

who attend

Staff monitor and assess the progress children are making through regular observations in all areas of learning. Staff know their children well and talk confidently about how well they are doing in their learning and development. Records show children are making good progress overall. The requirement to provide a progress summary for two-year-olds has been completed and shared with parents.

p.3

who attend

The nursery also offers a variety of outdoor activities. Varied equipment here promotes children's physical development effectively as well as helping them to explore, learn to play together and use their imagination. This range includes sand, water, a sensory patch and chunky wood, so children eagerly explore the natural environment using magnifying glasses. They take part in regular physical activity, both indoors and outdoors, and develop their agility and coordination through exercise. Children show great enjoyment when climbing, hopping, chasing and riding wheeled toys. Younger children particularly enjoy opportunities to blow and catch bubbles. Children show great pleasure in digging, sweeping and watering the nursery herb garden. This helps children to be physically active

p.4

who attend

Children thoroughly enjoy being creative as they explore many different materials as they make sticking pictures, mix paint and make their own modelling dough. Children have many opportunities to see their name and become aware of the written word in their surroundings. Children look at a variety of books and find the illustrations especially interesting. They enjoy participating in action songs and moving in time to music. Children develop mathematical concepts through a varied range of activities, which involve shape, numbers, patterns and problem solving. For example, children explore shape using various sizes in construction bricks, they count train track pieces and are supported to recognise shapes in their environment. Children use their imagination as they delight in acting out familiar scenarios in the play kitchen area. However, staff have yet to consider providing a range of writing equipment that are always easily accessible, wherever the children are

p.4

who attend

playing to support their early writing skills. Children have plentiful opportunities to explore a range of information, communication and technology resources (ICT). As a result, children are able to practise and develop simple ICT skills by using varied programmable toys and a computer.

p.4

who attend

Partnerships with parents are positive and are focused on promoting parental involvement in children's learning. Parents and carers are provided with good information about the nursery. For example, they receive frequent newsletters and there is an informative entrance area with notice boards. Parents are kept well informed about their child's welfare and attainments through the key person system. They have opportunities to attend parent sessions to discuss their child's developmental progress throughout the year. The nursery maintains attractive records of children's achievements that further support their understanding of the children's progress and next steps of learning. This supports parents involvement in their child's learning and development at home.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The nursery provides a welcoming and secure environment that caters well for children's needs. Children develop trusting relationships with their key persons, which helps them to feel safe and secure and assists in their overall personal development. As children participate in many enjoyable activities, they engage in talk and play with adults and other children, as well as learning to share and take turns. Behaviour is good because of the positive ethos that exists, where all children are valued and managed calmly by staff. Children receive encouragement to have a go at doing things for themselves and this generally promotes the development of their independence, together with helping children gain good attitudes for their future learning. At snack time, for example, a small group of children all have attempts at cutting the fruit and serving themselves when it is their turn.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children busily play, showing good imaginations as they explore. Children have access to many cosy areas and dens when they want to be quiet or enjoy play with their friends. They confidently approach staff to read a story or for support when they need help. Staff promote inclusive practice through the activities, procedures and the children's self- selection of many labelled resources. Staff promote an Islamic cultural ethos and explore various themes to allow children to gain an understanding of diversity within their community.

p.5

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children learn about healthy lifestyles and benefit from healthy snacks and plenty of fresh air. Many children enjoy a choice of fruit for their snack and eat a packed lunch provided by their parents. Generally, children are learning skills to help gain independence. However, staff are less consistent in encouraging independence with skills such as helping children learn the importance of regular hand washing routines. Nonetheless, there is a good emphasis on promoting the physical development of children through the wide use of the outdoor area. In addition there is a good variety of equipment and ample of space for children to run around. These resources are used well to encourage children to be active and imaginative in a variety of ways, in developing skills, such as climbing, balancing, digging and jumping. Children know how to keep themselves safe because they are taught how to use tools and equipment safely. These activities and play areas are all

p.5

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

risk assessed by staff. Evacuation procedures are practised regularly. The good progress made by children in their development of skills and attitudes, including gaining confidence, is preparing them well for the next stage of their education.

p.5

provision

The leadership and management systems are effective overall. The manager and directors have trusting relationships. They have clearly defined roles and work well together for the benefit of the children. They have worked hard to review and update the record keeping systems and the learning environment of the nursery. For example, the procedures including safeguarding, self-evaluation and the key person system have recently been revised and updated. All staff complete safeguarding and first aid training. They are confident in the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about the children's welfare or about the behaviour of staff. These measures help safeguard children. There are effective procedures in place for recruitment, induction and supervision of staff. The regular appraisals assess the ongoing suitability of staff. The majority of staff hold early years qualifications. New unqualified staff are currently working towards qualifications due

p.5

provision

to the positive encouragement of management. All staff have an enhanced disclosed issued by the Criminal Records Bureau. Effective risk assessments and daily checking procedures enable children to play in safe secure premises. Staff supervise children well throughout the sessions. They have a system so there is always at least one member of staff inside as children can freely choose where to play.

p.5

provision

Staff ably support children's learning as they have a good understanding of learning and development requirements. They plan and provide a variety of interesting activities based around the children's interests and their learning priorities. Staff organise the premises well both inside and out and children have access to a good range of toys and resources. This enables children to be independent learners as they freely choose where to play. The key person system is effective and each member of staff complete development files for their key children. These contain observations, photographic evidence and an achievement summary of children's progress before they leave the nursery.

p.6

provision

The nursery team demonstrate that they have the capacity to carry out a programme of improvements. The manager has a positive attitude towards continual development and develops focussed actions plans to improve outcomes for the nursery and children. She seeks feedback on the nursery practice from parents and staff. They work closely with the early years teams. The nursery has successfully addressed the actions made at their last inspection and is very receptive to making future improvements. They seek advice when they have concerns about children's speech and language development and to support children who learn English as an additional language.

p.6

provision

The nursery values working in partnership with parents and provides them with relevant information about the early years provision. The effective introductory systems benefit the children as staff quickly get to know about their interests and needs. Parents have regular opportunities to meet with staff. Staff use these discussions and planned feedback meetings so they are informed about the children's needs to aid future planning. Parents speak positively about the nursery and report that they are happy with the care their children receive. However, partnerships with local schools are not well established to contribute to a smooth transfer when children move on from the nursery.

p.6

Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of

p.7

Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

p.7

Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.8

Setting details

Unique reference number EY440121 Local authority Slough Inspection number 965342

p.8

Type of provision

Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 55 Name of provider Olive Tree Montessori Limited Date of previous inspection 10/01/2014 Telephone number 07746074073

p.8

Type of provision

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.8

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.8

Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

p.8

Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

p.8

Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.9

Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

p.9

Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

p.10

Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.10