Grace Montessori School

Grace Montessori School Regent Estate Community Hall, 60 Brougham Road, London, E8 4PD

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 September 2015 23 July 2014

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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 provider has successfully tackled the areas for development identified at the last inspection.  Teaching is consistently good. Staff are well qualified and have a good understanding of how children learn. Children settle in well to the nursery's routines and make secure progress in their learning and development.  Staff create a lively learning environment indoors and outside with activities to promote children’s curiosity. Children freely choose resources to follow their interests. In the garden 'mud kitchen', for example, children are fascinated as they explore whether stones or leaves sink in water.  Staff skilfully nurture children's emotional development and independence. Children show consideration for others because they follow the staff’s positive example. New children are keen to help by setting up and tidying away activities.  The provider, staff and parents build highly positive relationships. Parents appreciate

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This provision is good

the nursery’s detailed and regular updates about their children’s progress. Parents frequently add to their children's assessments with examples of their home learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The provider has recently introduced a system to improve how the nursery monitors and tracks the progress made by different groups of children as well as individuals. Staff are at a very early stage of using the tracking information to enhance children’s progress further. It is too soon to see the impact of this improvement.

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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

 embed the monitoring and tracking system and use the information to help staff strengthen teaching further so children make the best progress possible.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities indoors and outside and spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the day.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the provider.  The inspector held discussions with the provider.  The inspector looked at a sample of policies, procedures and documents relating to the management of the nursery, including those for checking the suitability of staff.  The inspector spoke with parents and took into account their written feedback to the nursery.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The provider gives strong leadership. She inspires staff to develop their professional skills through team discussions and training. The nursery forms strong partnerships with services for disabled children and those with special educational needs to secure early help. Safeguarding is effective. The provider ensures robust procedures are in place to check the suitability of all staff, including checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service. Staff know what to do if they have concerns about a child’s welfare, for example if child is unexpectedly absent, as they understand the nursery’s clear procedures. The provider and parents share high aspirations for their children’s achievement. These expectations are reflected in the nursery's ambitious plans to improve practice and outcomes further.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Refurbishment of the garden area has greatly improved children's engagement in their learning. Staff plan activities that capture children's interests and motivate them to make good progress in their learning. Children, including those who speak English as an additional language, develop confidence in speaking and listening. Staff use clear explanations to teach basic skills well. With close support, younger children effectively learn physical skills, such as cutting an orange. Staff adapt their plans when they notice children are absorbed in their learning. For example, they abandon an indoor activity so children can stay outside to explore their curiosity about how water disappears from puddles on the paving stones. Children develop their own ideas and play cooperatively, for instance when building a roadway out of large wooden blocks. Children confidently use their emerging early reading, writing and mathematical skills in their games.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Teamwork and communication among staff are strong. Key persons regularly share information with each other to ensure children's needs and views are reflected in their assessments. Staff are deployed to make best use of their training and expertise with children of different ages and those with additional needs. The nursery fosters a strong culture of self-confidence and helpfulness to others. These social skills prepare children well for the challenge of transition between rooms and on to other settings. Children learn to move around and handle tools such as knives and scissors safely. Children choose healthy portions of fruit and vegetables at snack times. The nursery celebrates and builds respect for diversity. Children and staff enjoy sociable lunchtimes together. They chat and learn about different cultures, family traditions and food as they share their own experiences.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those with lower starting points than typical for their age, make good progress. Older children have a good range of skills and knowledge across all areas of learning to prepare them for moving on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY471003 Local authority Hackney Inspection number 1026709 Type of provision Full-time 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 30 Number of children on roll 29 Name of provider Shamim Mulla Date of previous inspection 23 July 2014 Telephone number 07512 410002

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Setting details

Grace Montessori Nursery registered in 2013 and is run by a private provider. It operates from two rooms in a community hall. Children have access to a secure outdoor play area. It is open 8.45am to 4.30pm from Monday to Thursday and 8.45am to 12pm on Friday during term times only. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three and four years. The nursery supports disabled children and those with special educational needs and children who speak English as an additional language. Five staff including the manager work directly with the children. All hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery 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

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Setting details

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