Little Sponges Montessori

Little Sponges Montessori 38a Hyde Vale, LONDON, SE10 8QH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 April 2015 18 January 2011

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

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

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 The quality of teaching is exemplary. Staff have an excellent understanding of how children learn and develop. Therefore, they provide exciting learning opportunities to challenge and extend children's learning. Consequently, all children make remarkable progress.  Staff make very effective use of the required progress checks for children aged two years to identify concerns in their development. Furthermore, they work in strong partnership with parents and outside agencies in supporting children with additional needs. This helps to reduce gaps in children's learning.  Children form strong emotional bonds with the staff. Many children have formed special friendships with their peers. This effectively promotes their emotional well-being.  Staff welcome parents and children from all communities. Children learn about other cultures and traditions through celebrations and through art and craft activities.

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This provision is outstanding

Therefore, they are developing their understanding of the world and learn to value differences.  The Head and staff have a strong understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. They reflect this knowledge in continually evaluating performance and driving improvement, to provide high standards in children's care and learning.  Staff have established excellent links with local schools and effectively share information with school staff when children move to school. This ensures continuity in children's education.  Staff recruitment and vetting procedures are highly robust. This ensures that all staff are suitable to work with children.

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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

 enhance resources further to extend children's understanding of technology.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities inside and outside.  The inspector took account of the views of children, parents and staff.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector viewed a sample of documents including suitability checks for staff.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager.

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who attend. This is outstanding

Staff have an excellent understanding of the unique needs of each child. Consequently, they plan extremely well for individual children's learning and all children make rapid progress given their starting points. Children arrive happily and are very eager to watch the 'living eggs'. They curiously ask the staff if the eggs have hatched. They enjoy an exciting group time, as staff provide them the opportunity to hold the chicks in their hands. Children comment that the chicks cuddle under the light to keep themselves warm. This develops children's understanding of the world, and they learn about living things and how they grow. Children wheel a mobile shop around the classroom and pretend to sell fruits. This develops their imagination and supports their communication and language development. They use wooden play money to give change to their customers. This promotes their mathematical development and prepares them for next stages in their

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who attend. This is outstanding

learning. However, staff miss some opportunities to extend children's learning further, for example, by providing them resources to explore the use of technology.

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outstanding

Staff are excellent role models. Children follow their example and learn to care for each other and their environment. This promotes their personal, social and emotional development. Staff support children's independence extremely well. For example, children help to cut fruits in preparation for snack time. They independently serve themselves snack and water and tidy up when they finish snack. Furthermore, children learn to make healthy choices, as staff work in close partnership with parents to ensure children have nutritious meals. This effectively promotes children's health and well-being.

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provision is outstanding

Leadership and management is exemplary. The manager is highly reflective of the quality of care provided to children and continually strives to raise the quality of the provision. Staff and parents are fully involved in evaluating the setting and identifying areas that need improvement. Consequently, plans for improvement are highly effective and successful. Supervision arrangements are excellent. As a result, staff performance is of a very high standard and is continually improving through training and mutual support. The manager has established strong links with the local authority, especially in matters relating to safeguarding children. Consequently, she has developed robust safeguarding policies and procedures. Staff have a very thorough understanding of procedures to follow to protect children's well-being. Therefore, children thrive in a safe and happy environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY413470 Local authority Greenwich Inspection number 832087 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 13 Number of children on roll 41 Name of provider Nicole Ann Bacon Date of previous inspection 18 January 2011 Telephone number 02084699337

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Setting details

Little Sponges Montessori Nursery registered in 2010. It is located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The nursery operates two sessions, on all weekdays, between the hours of 9.30am to 12pm and 12.30pm to 3pm respectively, during term-time only. The setting employs three staff; all of whom hold relevant qualifications at level 4. The nursery uses the Montessori method of teaching.

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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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