Hollybush Montessori School

Hollybush Montessori School Sevenoaks Community Centre, Otford Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 5DN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 June 2015 14 January 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 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 Good 2

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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

 The manager and staff have a good understanding of how to meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements. The manager checks the suitability of all staff and she ensures they know what action to take should they have concerns about the welfare of a child.  Staff have a good understanding of how to meet the learning and development requirements. They provide a broad range of activities to engage children in play and learning. As a result, children make good progress.  Children's well-being is good. Staff take care over settling children in so that they are secure and confident. This promotes their good emotional development.  Children benefit from very consistent care because parents and staff share information frequently. Staff also work effectively with other professionals and schools in support of children's learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff frequently ask children questions designed to help them think through the purpose of what they are doing. However, sometimes staff use only instructions, which does not fully promote children's thinking skills.

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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 the consistency of teaching in order to fully promote children's problem- solving and thinking skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children at play indoors and outdoors.  The inspector examined a range of documentation, including children's records.  The inspector and manager carried out a joint observation.  The inspector spoke to parents to gather their views.

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who attend. This is good

Staff and parents work effectively together when children first start so that staff know children's learning needs from the outset. Staff meet with parents each term to discuss children's progress and parents can see children's learning records at any time. This promotes good partnerships in support of children's progression. Children are independent and eager learners. They devise their own play ideas and invite friends to join them, which means they build skills in working together on shared ideas. Children are familiar with the Montessori materials and carry out particular tasks very methodically. For example, children pour liquid between jugs using funnels. Staff encourage children to do as much as they can for themselves, such as writing their names on labels. Staff talk with children about what is happening so that children pick up a wide vocabulary and are confident communicators.

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good

Staff have created a good learning environment with plenty of choice and a wide range of good-quality play equipment. Staff give good support to children's independence, which helps them to be well-motivated to explore and learn. Children move freely around the pre-school and can use toilets and sinks on their own as they learn to manage their personal hygiene. Children benefit from healthy snacks, frequent drinks of water and an attentive staff team who remind them to wear hats when playing in the sun. As a result, the care for children's physical well-being is good. Children behave very well. They tidy up their toys when they finish playing and treat the play materials with respect. For example, children tuck their chairs in when they leave a table. Children build good friendships and are spontaneously polite, taking turns and sharing their toys really well. This means that children are acquiring good skills for their future learning.

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provision is good

The manager and staff have a high level of qualifications. This makes them very effective at planning activities, observing children's progress and keeping children safe. Staff attend regular training to enhance their professional development and the manager is aware of the impact of training. For example, she notes that staff are planning new ideas for the outdoor area following a course on the subject. The manager involves staff and parents in her reflective practice by asking for their views and ideas. This helps her to set targets for improvement, such as using more musical instruments in children's play and researching methods to track children's progress more closely. The manager monitors the work of staff to maintain consistency in observations and assessments. Through supervision and mentoring, she identifies and addresses any achievement gaps in children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY280814 Local authority Kent Inspection number 826803 Type of provision Sessional provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 30 Name of provider Delphine Natalie Otto-Bruch Date of previous inspection 14 January 2009 Telephone number 07984 133318 (Mobile)

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Setting details

Hollybush Montessori School registered in 2004. It is a privately owned and operates from one room within a community centre in Sevenoaks, Kent. It is open each weekday from 9.30am to 12.30pm during term time only. On the third Thursday of each month, the opening hours are 9am to 12 noon. The pre-school receives funding for free early education for children aged three and four years. A team of five staff work with the children; of these, four hold early years qualifications at level 5. The pre-school 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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