Great Beginnings Montessori Nursery School

Great Beginnings Montessori Nursery School The Advent Centre, 37 Brendon Street, London, W1H 5JE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 April 2015 25 March 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 Children develop excellent independent and self-help skills, which successfully prepare them for the next steps in their learning.  Staff have high expectations of all the children. They use their strong knowledge of the children, and of how they learn and develop, to provide a wide range of challenging and highly stimulating experiences. As a result, children become active learners.  Staff are excellent role models; children are happy, learn to cooperate and show increasing self-control. The atmosphere in the nursery is calm and purposeful.  The provider and her team are vigilant and have a good understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. Policies and procedures are followed consistently and staff are confident in their understanding of child protection issues. This helps to keep children safe.  There is a very strong relationship with parents and other professionals. This ensures

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This provision is good

that children receive all the support they need to learn and achieve, and that transfers to other settings are successful.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, the organisation of large group activities by staff, particularly in the infant room, means that some children are not fully occupied or engaged.

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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

 improve the organisation of large group activities in order to identify individual needs within the group and fully involve and extend all children's learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the setting with the provider.  The inspector took account of the views of parents.  The inspector observed children's activities in all of the classrooms and outside.  The inspector discussed child protection and safety procedures with the staff.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the provider and held a leadership and management meeting, where key documentation was sampled.

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who attend. This is good

Staff teaching is rooted in a good understanding of how children learn. Staff are skilled at knowing how and when to extend and intervene to enable children to make the most out of learning opportunities. For example, younger children enjoy singing traditional songs as they play with small world toys relating to the city of London, and talk confidently about the well-known landmarks and their experiences. However, occasionally, large group activities at snack time are less well planned and children lose interest. Nonetheless, children benefit from prolonged periods of uninterrupted time to play and experiment, which ensures that they remain engaged and focused on activities. Children develop strong skills by asking questions and solving problems, which helps to ensure that they are well prepared for starting school. Planning and assessment arrangements are precise and staff target any additional needs effectively. As a result, all children make good progress

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outstanding

Children are happy and have excellent relationships with the staff. The settling-in process works effectively and helps children to form strong bonds. Staff prepare children exceptionally well for change. Children develop strong relationships with other children, make choices confidently and take risks in their learning. Staff promote children's awareness of healthy lifestyles successfully. They provide children with healthy snacks, such as a wide variety of fresh fruit, and work in partnership with parents to provide healthy packed lunches. Staff encourage children to practice good hygiene routines and promote their understanding of how to manage their own personal needs. Children benefit from having additional dance and movement sessions and going for walks in the local parks. Staff skillfully teach children about safety and ensure that all areas children access are safe.

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provision is good

The provider has a good understanding of the learning and development, and safeguarding and welfare requirements. She supervises and monitors staff performance well and supports their ongoing professional development. For example, staff have attended courses on supporting bilingualism to improve outcomes for children. All staff are suitably vetted and recruitment procedures are robust, thus protecting children. The provider evaluates practice with the staff to identify weaknesses and make improvements, ensuring children's ongoing progress. The provider involves parents in the evaluation process through planned and informal meetings and parent surveys. This promotes strong partnerships. The staff work closely with external agencies and local schools to meet children's individual needs effectively.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY301187 Local authority Westminster Inspection number 847410 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 70 Number of children on roll 69 Name of provider Wendy Heather Innes Date of previous inspection 25 March 2009 Telephone number 020 72581066

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Setting details

Great Beginnings Montessori Nursery School registered in 1983 and is located in the City of Westminster. It is open every weekday, from 8.45am to 3.30pm, during term time only. There are 13 members of staff, including the director, and 11 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications. The setting operates in line with the Montessori educational philosophy. The provider is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three- and four-years-old.

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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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