Leavesden Montessori House

Leavesden Montessori House 187 Leavesden Road, WATFORD, WD24 5EL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 November 2016 18 September 2013

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Staff are outstanding teachers. For example, younger children learn to follow a recipe and independently make bread. Older children use more complex recipes and learn to measure ingredients using scales. Children flourish in their learning.  Expert staff astutely plan creative and assertive activities to enhance children's learning. For example, they create props for books and impressively engage children during reading sessions. Children retell stories and guess what will happen next.  All areas of learning are expertly promoted in well equipped, indoor and outdoor play areas. Children's learning styles and their individual talents are inspirationally supported by staff. For example, children's aptitude in literacy and mathematics is expertly extended at nursery.  Staff are very caring towards children. They know children extremely well and form strong bonds with them. Children are comfortable and swiftly settle.

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This provision is outstanding

 Staff are expert role models for children. They are polite, attentive and enthusiastically praise their achievements, efforts, participation and ideas. Children are confident, have a strong sense of self-esteem and behave extremely well.  The manager and staff are highly committed to providing children with a safe and secure environment. Play areas are risk assessed and children closely supervised.  The manager and staff maintain meticulous records of children's care and learning. They effortlessly monitor their well-being and welfare.

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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

 continue to enhance children's interest in imaginative play as part of their already outstanding educational programmes and learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors. She assessed the impact activities and educational programmes have on children's learning.  The inspector completed joint evaluations of activities with the nursery manager.  The inspector held meetings and discussions with the nursery manager and staff. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation, policies, procedures and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager and staff participate in safeguarding and child protection training and have expert knowledge of the steps to take should concerns arise. They fully understand their duty to prevent children from harm. Staff benefit from the manager's exceptional support. The manager is inspirational and astutely supervises staff's practice in order to promote their continuous professional development. Staff have access to training, which is targeted to improve practice. For example, they recently identified the capacity to further promote children's interest in imaginative play following audits of practice and training. New ideas are swiftly implemented for children, who benefit from exciting learning experiences and nurturing care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Highly qualified staff meticulously assess children's skills. They expertly identify their next steps in learning and interests. Parents are fully involved in children's education. For example, staff involve them in creating an album of children's holiday photographs. Staff form links with other settings that children attend and successfully work with them to support children's learning. Children are curious and extremely eager to learn. For example, they are very interested in observing how an apple decomposes. Children record daily accounts of this and show advanced writing and drawing skills. Children enjoy unforgettable experiences and develop exceedingly well.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Parents and staff work in outstanding partnerships throughout children's time at nursery. Together, they expertly shape practice to suit all children's needs. Staff proficiently promote children's health. For example, children are extremely independent in managing their personal hygiene. They enjoy fresh air, exercise and plenty of outdoor play. Meals are nutritious and carefully prepared. Children learn about themselves, others and their community. Staff teach them about the world through first-hand experiences. For example, children plant, harvest, cook and observe nature. They research and experiment with science. Children have an immense respect for others and play together cooperatively.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children develop skills at an exceptional pace. Those who speak English as an additional language and those who have additional needs benefit from prompt and highly effective support. Children are challenged to their full potential and beyond. For example, staff involve them in daily routines, such as watering and arranging the flowers. Children analyse if plants need water by pushing their fingers into the soil in flowerpots, then they carefully water them using a watering can. Children are curious about cultures, languages, history and geography. They learn about different countries and continents. Children are inspirationally prepared for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY458830 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1066667 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 1 - 5 Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Greenacres Montessori Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 18 September 2013 Telephone number 01923801331

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reference number

Leavesden Montessori House was registered in 2013. The nursery is one of two settings operated by the provider. It employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2, 3 or 6. All staff hold a Montessori teaching qualification and assistant training. The nursery follows the principles of the early years foundation stage and Montessori. It operates from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. It supports children who speak English as an additional language and children who have special educational needs.

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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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