Little Acorns Montessori Pre School

Little Acorns Montessori Pre School Catholic church Hall, Ashburton Road, Bovey Tracey, TQ13 9BY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 June 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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 The provider involves the staff team in identifying the strengths and key areas for development of the setting, and quickly identifies how to address them. For example, the provider is considering ways to make even better use of information they receive about children's learning from other settings they attend.  Overall, staff plan a varied and interesting range of activities that link closely with children's individual next steps, to help them make good progress in their learning.  Staff create a highly stimulating, rich and attractive learning environment. Children are extremely curious and highly motivated as they explore the exceptional range of high- quality resources. This helps them to build very positive attitudes towards learning.  All staff are very clear about their role in helping children to form secure emotional attachments. They create a highly welcoming atmosphere and know children very well.

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This provision is good

Children settle quickly and develop a very strong sense of emotional well-being.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The provider monitors individual children's progress well overall, but does not successfully monitor the progress of groups of children to identify any patterns or gaps in learning even more swiftly.  At times, staff do not organise whole group activities as effectively as they might to meet the learning needs and interests of younger children.

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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 monitoring systems to track the progress of groups of children more effectively, to identify any gaps and patterns in their learning  review the organisation of some whole group activities to take account of younger children's learning needs and interests, to enable them to actively take part and extend what they know and can do.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed interactions between children and staff, and adult-led and child- initiated activities.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the provider.  The inspector took account of the views of children, their parents and staff spoken to on the day of inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the provider at an appropriate time during the inspection.  The inspector sampled documentation, including children's learning records, and staff's training and qualification certificates.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The provider and staff team have a good understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare. Safeguarding is effective. Staff receive good support and coaching, such as through regular individual and team meetings. The provider supports staff's ongoing professional development well; for instance, encouraging them to complete additional training. Some staff are undertaking qualifications to build their knowledge of the specific learning approach that the setting follows. They comment that this is developing their knowledge of how to promote good outcomes for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff record children's achievements to evidence their progress and routinely share this detailed information with parents, to inform them of their children's experiences and current stage of development. Staff help all children to develop good language skills. Children are confident communicators and frequently initiate detailed discussion with adults to share their thoughts and ideas. Staff promote children's early literacy skills effectively. For example, they teach children to recognise letters in their name, by prompting them to find their named folder. Staff provide numerous opportunities to extend children's physical development. For instance, children competently climb large equipment, and develop good dexterity and coordination as they practise pouring water into small containers and fasten buttons on activity frames.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children demonstrate exceptional social skills and learn to consider each other's needs. For example, when children find a partner to 'row' with as staff sing a nursery rhyme, they happily invite other children to join their pair so that nobody is left out. Children's behaviour is excellent. They listen carefully to staff, are keen to follow instructions, and help to create a happy and harmonious environment. For instance, children change the traffic-light display, which represents the volume of the setting, to inform each other if they believe it is becoming too noisy. Staff support children's independence extremely well. Children confidently manage their own care needs and show great determination to succeed. Staff involve children in daily risk assessments and they participate eagerly, such as pointing out small wild mushrooms they find in the garden.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are eager to try new experiences and acquire a very strong foundation for their move to school. Older children learn to identify numbers during routine tasks, and develop good mathematical skills. For example, they identify the date during circle time and match this to the corresponding number.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY479665 Local authority Devon Inspection number 987369 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 2 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Samantha Jane Langmead

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07787563433

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reference number

Little Acorns Montessori Pre School re-registered in 2014. The pre-school follows the Montessori philosophy and method of practice. It operates from the Catholic church hall in Bovey Tracey, near Newton Abbot, Devon. The pre-school opens during term times, from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 9.30am to 2pm on Monday and Wednesday. It receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are seven members staff working with the children, six of whom hold appropriate childcare qualifications to at least level 3.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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