Tilsworth Montessori School

Tilsworth Montessori School The Leys, Dunstable Road, Tilsworth, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 9PU

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 December 2015 16 March 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The supervision of staff is effective. Each member of the team knows their role and responsibilities. Strong leadership helps to create high ambition amongst the team who strive to provide good quality care and education for children.  More-able children do particularly well at the nursery. They continue to make rapid progress in their learning. Staff skilfully teach children and provide activities that consistently challenge them.  The activities that staff plan help children to count, sort and identify shape and size. Children show their understanding as they use mathematical language in their play and solve increasingly difficult number problems.  Children grow into confident and resilient individuals. They learn to care for resources and the environment where they play and learn. Children put activities away after use and help to tidy up.  Children learn about being healthy and staying fit. They engage in yoga sessions where

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This provision is good

they stretch, balance and develop their muscles. Children enjoy playing outdoors where they learn about the weather and the natural world.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always have a programme of professional development in place that helps them to fully understand, review and efficiently embed new legislation into policies and practice.  Staff are developing information sharing with parents to help them to understand even more about the activities children engage in.

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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

 develop a more precise programme of professional development to support staff to understand and embed new legislation into policies, procedures and practice  exchange even more information with parents about the learning programmes and how these will be delivered.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have a good understanding about how to keep children safe. The manager takes responsibility for child protection and undertakes regular training in this area. Staff are well qualified and experienced. They use their good knowledge about children's development to plan activities that are well matched to children's age and stage of development. The induction for new staff is robust. Staff work well together as a team. The manager reviews the quality of care and education at the nursery. She includes parents and staff in the process by asking each to share their views and contribute towards improvement plans. The nursery establishes good relationships with schools that children will move on to in the future. Equally, staff develop effective relationships with other professionals and welcome them into the nursery to support children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

There is a good balance between adult-led and child-initiated activities. Children put their learning into practice as they test out what they know and can do. They build upon their learning by helping themselves to more resources and equipment to extend their understanding. After playing a game of I-spy where children link sounds to objects, they go and find letters made from sandpaper. They feel the outline of the letter as they trace it with their finger. More-able children select a book and start to read to themselves and to staff. Children think for themselves and can problem solve and work together collaboratively. Staff use observation and assessments to track the good progress that children make. This gives them an accurate picture of progress over time and enables staff to quickly identify if children need further support in their learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children learn in an orderly environment and know about expectations for behaviour. Staff are good role models for children and teach them to be considerate and kind towards others. Children have quiet time for reflection and thought during relaxation sessions. They independently get themselves ready for playing outdoors. Children serve each other snacks and drinks. They use good manners and are respectful to staff and each other. Children are keen to share their achievements with staff and with parents when they collect them. They form close relationships with staff and each other at the nursery.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are very well prepared for starting school. They continue to make good progress in their learning relevant to their individual starting points. Children who are vulnerable to underachievement have swift intervention to support their learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY270686 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 848550 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 16 Name of provider Natasha Courtenay-Robin Date of previous inspection 16 March 2011 Telephone number 01525 211055

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Setting details

Tilsworth Montessori Nursery School was registered in 2004. The nursery employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 9.15am until 12.15pm. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. The nursery supports a number of children with special educational needs. The nursery operates in line with 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

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Setting details

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