Blackheath Montessori Centre

Blackheath Montessori Centre Independents Road, Blackheath, London, SE3 9LF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 June 2015 11 December 2008

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Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 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:

 Staff meet the required ratios but do not deploy themselves effectively to meet the individual needs of the children, particularly during lunch and outdoor play.  The leadership and management team has not taken swift action to address identified inconsistencies in the quality of teaching and learning, which hinders some children from making good progress.  Staff do not make the most of all opportunities to extend children's learning about how to keep healthy and embed healthy eating habits in them.

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It has the following strengths

 Parents express high levels of satisfaction about the nursery and staff, and feel that their children feel safe, happy and secure.  Children are given plenty of opportunities to make their own choices about their play and they practise becoming independent learners as they complete tasks for themselves.  Children's behaviour is managed well by staff and, as a result, children are aware of what is expected of them and behave well.  Staff promote an inclusive setting and support children with a range of needs and abilities 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

 ensure that staff members are deployed effectively so that the needs of children are met at all times, particularly during lunch and outdoor play  ensure staff supervision and monitoring of practices are used to raise the quality of teaching.

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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

 use daily routines to increase children's understanding of how to stay healthy and the importance of good hygiene.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with parents of children attending the setting to gather their views.  The inspector undertook a joint observation with a member of the leadership team.  Documentation was reviewed, including registers, the complaint log, records of medicine given and staff records.  The inspector had discussions with staff and children, and looked at learning records of children.  The inspector observed children playing in all areas, inside and outside, and observed how they were supported by staff.

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who attend. This requires improvement

Children choose and complete tasks with staff on hand to support their learning. They recognise and name numbers and are helped to link sounds to letters. They use their smaller muscles as they cut using scissors, write simple words, and use creative ideas to make bracelets together. Children show excitement as they watch a paper volcano erupt as staff add vinegar and baking soda. Staff know children well and share information about children's learning with parents, with whom they have good relationships. However, staff do not consistently focus on the identified needs of all children and enable any gaps in learning to be promptly addressed. Staff generally provide a warm and stable environment in which children learn. However, the quality of staff's interactions and teaching with children is variable. Children do, however, enjoy weekly dance and language sessions that reinforce their developing communication and physical skills.

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requires improvement

Staff welcome children with a range of needs and abilities. Parents and children are happy to arrive and strong family links are nurtured between them and the staff. Staff help children to become confident learners and develop their emotional well-being. This prepares children well for their next stage in learning and their eventual move on to school. Staff provide healthy snacks, but do not extend on this to make the most of opportunities to help children understand the importance of healthy eating and healthy lifestyles. Staff are not always effectively deployed to ensure children's individual needs are being well met, particularly at mealtimes and during outdoor play. Staff understand how to keep children safe and they give them clear information about how they can keep themselves safe. All staff are trained in first aid. Staff are aware of child protection procedures and know what to do if they have concerns about a child's welfare.

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provision requires improvement

The leadership and management of the setting are sound. However, they have not accurately identified what needs to develop further in order to make improvements and meet all the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Management has identified some areas where they can improve their practice. However, supervision and monitoring of staff practice are not effective at improving the quality of teaching. The staff work well with health professionals to provide a shared approach to meeting their needs. Management provides regular training opportunities for staff to help improve their knowledge.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129010 Local authority Lewisham Inspection number 825463 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 31 Name of provider Blackheath Montessori Centre Limited Date of previous inspection 11 December 2008 Telephone number 020 8852 6765

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Setting details

Blackheath Montessori Day Nursery was registered in 1993 and operates in the Blackheath Village area of the London Borough of Lewisham. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, for 48 weeks per year. The setting receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four. There are twelve members of staff, of whom two hold relevant childcare qualifications to level 3 and five to level 4. The nursery follows the Montessori approach.

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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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