Belmont Montessori Nursery

Belmont Montessori Nursery Belmont Assembly Hall, Kenton Lane, HARROW, Middlesex, HA3 8RZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 January 2015 7 September 2009

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Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Requires improvement The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Requires improvement The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Requires improvement The setting does not meet legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The assessment of children is not consistent and precise. This means that not all staff have a clear enough understanding of what children know and can do. As a result, activity plans do not always meet the learning needs of all the children.  Managers understand their roles and responsibilities. However, at times, they do not ensure that staff are effectively deployed to fully meet children's needs.  Staff do not consistently encourage children to do things for themselves during some everyday routines. Therefore, there are fewer opportunities for children to develop their independence skills at such times.

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It has the following strengths

 The staff use games and activities to teach children about sharing and turn taking. They praise children regularly, so children develop positive self-esteem and pride in their achievements.  Staff know the children well and they are considerate and caring. As a result, children demonstrate secure levels of confidence.  Staff are skilled at talking to the children. They ask them questions that encourage them to think for themselves. This means that staff promote children's communication and language skills well.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 improve and monitor the assessment systems to ensure that staff regularly assess children's progress and provide them with challenging activities that promote their learning  ensure that staff are adequately deployed during everyday routines and activities to keep children engaged and to ensure their needs are met.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 provide opportunities to encourage children's developing independence during everyday routines.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's play and staff interactions, both inside and outside.  The inspector offered the manager the opportunity to conduct a joint observation.  The inspector talked to parents, staff and children, and held regular discussions with the manager.  The inspector examined documentation, including a representative sample of children's records, development plans and staff records.

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who attend. This requires improvement

Staff provide children with an appropriate range of activities that, in general, excite and challenge them. Children are able to make choices about their play and learning. These opportunities help to develop their confidence. Staff do not consistently observe and assess children's progress. This means that some staff do not know children's levels of achievement or their interests, so do not fully help them to progress. However, staff do help children to develop the skills they need for their future learning. For example, they provide children with good opportunities to develop their writing skills. Children are proud to tell staff that they have written their names. Staff also encourage children to explore simple mathematical concepts, for example, as they help them to calculate and solve simple problems. They help children to develop good physical skills, and children have fun as they carefully balance on beams or move around to action songs.

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requires improvement

Children are settled and happy in the setting. However, on occasions, the deployment of staff during some routines, such as snack and lunchtimes, is not fully effective. Therefore, children become bored and restless. Settling-in procedures are secure. The staff know children well and are able to describe how they are best supported. They give children some opportunities to be independent. For example, children are encouraged to put on their coats when they are going into the garden. However, staff encourage children's independence less well at meal and snack times. For example, they do not give children opportunities to serve themselves or prepare the tables. Staff use changes in the weather to enforce children's awareness of safety. Children remind their friends to take care on the frosty grass.

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provision requires improvement

The managers demonstrate a suitable knowledge of their roles and responsibilities. The managers implement an appraisal system and arrange training to enhance staff practice. Thorough recruitment procedures and ongoing checks mean that children are cared for by staff who are suitable and qualified. The managers strive to improve the quality of provision for the children. Staff also identify areas for development and consider ways to make changes to benefit the children. Staff demonstrate a clear awareness of their role in safeguarding children. However, they do not regularly monitor the assessment systems to ensure that all children progress well. They understand the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about children in their care. Staff have developed good relationships with parents. Parents say how happy their children are at the nursery, and how much they appreciate the staff and the frequent feedback about their children. The management

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provision requires improvement

team works with staff at local schools to help prepare children for the move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY385216 Local authority Harrow Inspection number 829936 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 44 Name of provider Butterflies (UK) Limited Date of previous inspection 7 September 2009 Telephone number 07733581982

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Setting details

Belmont Montessori Nursery registered in 2009 and is run by a private provider. The nursery operates in the London Borough of Harrow. Children have the use of one large playroom and an outdoor play area. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm, for 45 weeks of the year. Children attend a variety of sessions. The provider is registered on the Early Years Register. The provider receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs six staff, five of whom have appropriate early years qualifications. The setting follows the Montessori educational philosophy.

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Setting details

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.

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Setting details

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

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Setting details

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Setting details

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

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