Beckenham Montessori Pre-School

Beckenham Montessori Pre-School United Reformed Church Hall, Oakhill Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 6NQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 March 2016 19 October 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 manager monitors children's progress carefully to ensure that the quality of teaching, learning and assessments is consistent and outcomes for children are good.  Staff build effective relationships with children by giving them reassurance, praise and encouragement. Parents are well informed about what children are learning.  Close regard is given to supporting children's development. Staff quickly identify if children are not making expected progress. They work with parents and other agencies to ensure action is taken to help children catch up rapidly.  The pre-school provides a welcoming environment where children are supervised well and can learn safely through play. Children have a strong sense of security and belonging within the pre-school.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not make the most of opportunities to strengthen children's awareness of similarities and differences among people, to fully support children's understanding of the world.  The setting has not fully developed strategies for supporting and sharing information with parents about children's learning and development at home.

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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

 strengthen opportunities for children to gain a greater awareness of similarities and differences among people, to further support their understanding of the wider world  develop further strategies for encouraging parents to share information about children's achievements at home, to support children and help to make staff planning and assessment even more precise.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, as well as when carrying out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector viewed documents, including children's records, policies, suitability checks and self-evaluation forms.  The inspector observed the areas of the setting and some of the resources used by children being cared for.  Parents' views were gathered as they arrived at the pre-school, as well as through viewing previously written comments.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff have a good understanding of their role in protecting children. They understand the procedures to follow should they be concerned about a child's welfare. The staff team is well established. The manager follows robust recruitment procedures to help ensure staff are suitable for their roles. Staff have regular opportunities for professional development to further their existing knowledge. This helps to strengthen practice and to improve outcomes for children. The manager evaluates the provision well and seeks opinions from staff and parents to help identify strengths and weaknesses. She uses this knowledge to drive improvements further. For example, she is working with staff to improve opportunities for children to play and learn in the outside area.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have a good understanding of children's individual learning needs and provide a good balance of child-initiated and adult-directed activities. Children are engaged and active learners. Children enjoy a variety of activities to develop and practise their early writing and mathematical skills. For example, children enjoy concentrating on using tongs to transfer objects from one pot to another and making meaningful marks with pencils during their play. Children develop their creative and communication skills well through the many activities provided. For example, staff introduce new words, such as 'unique', during a finger printing activity. Staff help children to develop their knowledge of their local community. For example, they talk with children about the roles of people who help them, such as the police.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff support children's emerging understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle which involves physical exercise and a healthy diet. Children enjoy many opportunities for exercise. For example, they play outside and they take part in gym sessions. This helps to develop children's physical skills and confidence. Staff find many ways to encourage children to develop their independence, which helps children to be ready for school. For example, at snack time, children learn to help themselves to a selection from the healthy foods offered. Children's behaviour is good. They learn to respect each other and to share and take turns, supported by staff, who are good role models. Staff gather detailed information from parents about their children's interests and achievements when they first start. This enables staff to plan for and support every child's needs, and track their progress, from the beginning.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress from their starting points. Staff provide the challenge and support that children need to succeed. Children's early writing, reading and mathematical skills are developing well. They develop confidence in their abilities and are ready to learn. Children gain the keys skills they need for future learning and their eventual move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY254474 Local authority Bromley Inspection number 833091 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 46 Number of children on roll 62 Name of provider Martina Catharina Cooper Date of previous inspection 19 October 2011 Telephone number 07726 799 016 07730 216 614

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Setting details

Beckenham Montessori Pre-School opened in 1980. The present proprietor was registered in January 2003. The pre-school operates from the United Reformed Church in Beckenham. The pre-school is open each weekday from 9am to 12.30pm, with afternoon sessions two days a week until 3pm. The pre-school receives funding for free early years education. There is a staff team of 15 and all have Montessori or early years qualifications. Two staff have early years professional status and two have early years teacher status, of whom one has a master's degree in early education. The pre-school follows the Montessori teaching method.

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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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