Milton Keynes Montessori Pre-School

Milton Keynes Montessori Pre-School 49d Wolverton Road, Stony Stratford, MILTON KEYNES, MK11 1ED

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 April 2016 Not applicable

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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 enthusiastic staff have a very good knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop. They provide purposeful play experiences, which help children to make good progress in all areas of their learning.  Staff carry out risk assessments for the premises and outings, so that children are able to explore freely and safely.  The management team show a strong commitment to providing high-quality childcare. Their evaluation of the pre-school's effectiveness is accurate and enables them to identify priorities for development, and then to address them well.  Children respond well to the staff's high expectations of good behaviour. They develop a very good level of independence. For example, they make choices about their activities.  Partnerships with parents, carers and others are good. Parents highly praise staff for getting to know their children and ensuring their care and learning is tailored to their

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not fully obtain precise information from parents about their children's abilities and achievements when they start to enable them to plan for their needs and interests.  Managers do not track different groups of children to identify if there are any gaps in their progress. They precisely track how individuals are doing, but have not focused on other groups for a broader picture of their progress.

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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

 gain more information from parents about children's learning when they first start to enable the pre-school to plan activities that suit their needs and interests  refine tracking systems to identify any difference in progress made by groups of children so that these can be addressed.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in three play rooms and garden.  The inspector had discussions with children, parents and staff.  The inspector undertook a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector looked at observation files, tracking systems, the self-evaluation form and a selection of policies and children's records.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The management team carries out rigorous recruitment procedures. It recruits professional and knowledgeable staff. Managers are good role models and they lead their team to provide a high standard of care and education. Regular coaching and training help staff to extend their good skills. Safeguarding is effective. The managers and staff are very confident in their understanding of local safeguarding procedures and how to report concerns to protect children. Parents are well informed about all aspects of their children's achievements and well-being, for example, through daily discussions, parents' meetings, newsletters and progress reports.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of the staff's interactions with children is very good. They nurture and support, rather than direct, children as they explore their own learning. They plan activities that stem directly from children's interests and their observations of individuals' skills. Staff seize every opportunity to develop children's skills, particularly in the development of speaking and listening, reading and writing, and number skills. Staff encourage children to develop confidence and self-esteem. Children enjoy being creative and imaginative. For example, they paint and stick, and play in the shop and mud kitchen.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The kind and caring staff provide a calm and homely environment where each child is highly respected and valued. They nurture children's emotional well-being. Children form close bonds and secure attachments with staff. Parents develop trusting relationships with staff to support their children both in the pre-school and at home. Children are given clear messages about healthy diet, hygiene routines and taking fresh air and exercise. They enjoy the freedom of choosing to play indoors or outdoors. Children make good progress in their physical skills. For example, they balance on planks and logs, thread and post objects. Children enjoy outings to the allotment where, for example, they grow vegetables and learn about caring for living things.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are eager to explore and develop a real thirst for learning. They happily choose their activities, express their thoughts and ideas, and solve problems. For example, they construct with real small-size bricks, sand and trowels as they build a wall. Children have good opportunities to learn about letters and the sounds they represent. They recognise their names and hold a pencil correctly to write for a purpose, such as letters and envelopes. Children explore numbers, shapes, colours and sizes. Staff place emphasis on helping children to develop good manners and social skills, which enables them to play well together as they learn. They are very well prepared for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY486396 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 1006883 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 56 Number of children on roll 39 Name of provider Milton Keynes Montessori CIC Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01908 565 150

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Setting details

Milton Keynes Montessori Pre-School re-registered in 2015. It is open Monday to Friday during term time only, from 9am to 2.30pm, offering sessional and all-day care. The pre- school follows the Montessori educational philosophy. It is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre- school employs five staff and they all hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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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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